[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 93 (Wednesday, May 31, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            BICENTENNIAL OF THE KENTUCKY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

  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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