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Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, as a polio survivor, I have a special appreciation for organizations that help those with conditions often overlooked in our society. The Kentucky School for the Deaf--KSD--in Danville, KY, is a remarkable example of such an organization, having dedicated itself to serving the deaf and hard of hearing for over two centuries. Today, I would like to recognize this institution for its outstanding work, as its students and faculty celebrate the school's bicentennial.
In a hearing world, it can be hard to imagine the life of the deaf. Nowhere was this misunderstanding more pronounced than throughout early human history. For centuries, the deaf were relegated to the outskirts of society, frequently sent to asylums for the insane, or otherwise forgotten. Many contended with Aristotle's opinion that the deaf were ``incapable of education'' due to their inability to hear. This was, unfortunately, the standing belief on deaf education for hundreds of years.
Gradual shifts in cultural attitudes and educational techniques led to slow but steady progress over time. The early days of deaf education were typically born from the philanthropic efforts of wealthy citizens, while schools were privately held and operated out of the country's east coast.
In the early 19th century, General Elias Barbee, then a member of the Kentucky State Senate, hoped to change that. Senator Barbee launched an effort to establish the first State-supported school for the deaf in the United States. In 1822, legislation was signed into law, bringing deaf schooling west of the Alleghenies for the first time in American history. Shortly thereafter, Barbee's daughter, who had been deaf since childhood, enrolled as the first of three students at the Kentucky school.
From the start, the institution intended to educate the whole person, preparing the deaf and hard of hearing for success in both academic and real-world settings. The school secured two Federal land grants, with the help of Kentucky's illustrious statesman Henry Clay, that were used to fund the construction of KSD's campus.
The board of trustees faced their first great hurdle early on: finding faculty to lead the fledgling school. They soon took up the training of John A. Jacobs, a young student at Centre College. Jacobs, often described as the ``founding father'' of the institution, would go on to serve as faculty for over 40 years and was integral to the school's success throughout its infancy. Under his leadership, the school prevailed through some of the most perilous periods of our Nation's history, even resisting three attempts from Confederate soldiers to occupy the school during the Civil War.
In recent history, the school has seen its campus and its student population flourish and expand. Meanwhile, opportunities for deaf children in public schools also became more widespread. In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was signed into law by President Ford. This landmark legislation ensured equal access to education for every child, regardless of their disability, and marked a major turning point for deaf education in the United States.
Today, KSD remains a leading institution for deaf education throughout the country. It promises an academic experience uniquely suited to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing and affords its students a rare opportunity to learn as the hearing do: directly communicating and connecting with their peers.
Through English and sign language, students freely exchange ideas in the classroom, participate in afterschool activities, and learn the skills needed to succeed on their own after graduation.
For over 200 years, KSD has empowered deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to lead a life of dignity and self-sufficiency when many thought it impossible. This Kentucky institution has made an indelible impact on the history of deaf education and the thousands of students who have called it home.
I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in recognizing the Kentucky School for the Deaf for their tireless dedication to educating and enriching the lives of America's deaf and hard of hearing. Thank you for 200 years of remarkable service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
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