[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 7989] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]CLEVELAND CATHOLIC BLIND COMMUNITY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY ______ HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH of ohio in the house of representatives Thursday, April 29, 1999 Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Cleveland Catholic Blind Community for 50 years of providing support to the city's blind residents. The Catholic Blind Community, an organization for blind and partially sighted Catholics, was founded in 1949 by Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Hoffman. Because Mr. Hoffman himself was blind and his wife was partially sighted, they clearly understood the needs and challenges faced by the visually impaired. According to Mr. Green, the first president of the Catholic Blind Community, the group represented an effort ``to bring blind people into the Church and bring the Church closer to the blind.'' This mission was achieved with help from members of the St. Vincent de Paul society. By the mid-1970s, the organization had grown significantly in size and began meeting regularly at the St. Augustine Parish. The Catholic Blind Community soon joined in partnership with the parish and began working with the hunger center, the Deaf Community, and support groups established at the parish for those suffering from mental disabilities and illnesses. The blind quickly became integral members in the parish by singing in the choir, serving as lectors and Eucharistic ministers, serving on the parish council and planning parish activities. In 1994 the Catholic Blind Community organized the Catholic Blind Association, a voluntary association that is Catholic in character but welcomes members of all faiths. This additional group was organized to provide greater service to the Blind Community. The Blind Community now boasts a membership of 225 blind individuals. I would like to take this opportunity to commend Mr. Jim Green, the organization's first president who served for nine years and is honored by the group for his 50 years of volunteerism and leadership by voting him president in this anniversary year. Through its dedicated efforts, the group has worked to improve the quality of life for the blind. On behalf of all those whose lives have been affected by the group, I offer my congratulations to the Cleveland Catholic Blind Community for 50 years of service. ____________________