[announce] Remarks About the Seeing Eye in Congressional Record

[Eric Bridges]

SPEECH OF

HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

OF NEW JERSEY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009

 

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the very dedicated
employees, volunteers, and graduates of The Seeing Eye in Morristown, New
Jersey, on their 80 years of service. 

 

Dorothy Harrison Eustis and Morris Frank had a dream to make the world
completely accessible to the blind and visually impaired, and in 1929, The
Seeing Eye was established to make their dream a reality. Since its
inception, The Seeing Eye has enhanced the independence and self-confidence
of the blind and visually impaired. The Seeing Eye pioneered the use of dogs
to guide the blind, and today, the organization has successfully trained
over 15,000 Seeing Eye dogs and matched them with more than 8,000 blind or
visually impaired owners. Additionally, many area families have volunteered
to rear generations of Seeing Eye puppies--nurturing them to accomplish
their special destiny.

 

Twelve times every year, up to 24 visually impaired students from the United
States and Canada come to Morristown to enter a twenty-seven day
instructional program and are matched with a dog. The instruction includes
traveling through high traffic and residential streets, shopping malls, and
bus routes. Upon the completion of the program, the graduates are able to
safely navigate their hometowns with the support of their Seeing Eye dogs.

In fact, most every day on Morristown streets, The Seeing Eye trainers,
students and their remarkable dogs can be seen training where pedestrians
and drivers alike respect their presence. The Seeing Eye also provides
follow-up care and even visit graduates' home to aid them in adjusting to
their new accessibility to their environments.

 

Today, The Seeing Eye is a pioneer in canine genetics and medical research.

It also advocates for the concerns of those with visual impairments--such as
pedestrian safety and the dangers of quiet cars--by working with
legislators, writing letters on behalf of those experiencing discrimination,
and researching technologies to make crosswalks safer.

 

Madam Speaker, for the past 80 years, The Seeing Eye has provided an
unprecedented service to the blind and visually impaired community, and I
hope it can continue its invaluable service for many years to come. I urge
you, Madam Speaker, and my colleagues to join me in congratulating all of
those involved with The Seeing Eye on its 80th Anniversary.

 

 

 

Eric Bridges

Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

American Council of the Blind

2200 Wilson Blvd. Suite 650

Arlington, VA 22201 

Phone: (202) 467-5081

Fax: (703) 465-5085

 

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