Congressman Robert Ehrlich,Jr.

Congressman Robert Ehrlich,Jr.

Congressman Robert Ehrlich and

Dr. Jernigan

Congressional Record, Wednesday, October

21, 1998

Extensions of Remarks Section

Tribute by Hon. Robert Ehrlich, Jr., Republican

of Maryland

Honoring the Memory of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan,

President Emeritus

of the National Federation of the Blind [page E-2268, 43 lines]

in the House of Representatives

Tuesday, October 20, 1998

MR. EHRLICH: Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay my

respects to Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, who passed away on Monday, October 12, 1998, after a

courageous fight with cancer. I offer my warmest sympathies to his family, friends, and

the National Federation of the Blind, the organization for which he served as one of its

principal leaders for more than forty-five years.

I have greatly admired and respected Kenneth

Jernigan and the National Federation of the Blind since my days in the Maryland State

Legislature as a state delegate. With chapters in every state and almost every community,

the Federation is the nation's oldest and largest organization of blind persons. Its

influence today serves as a reminder of the culmination of Kenneth Jernigan's lifetime

work and commitment to improving the quality of life for the blind throughout this nation

and the world.

Occasionally, an issue is brought to my attention

where I can seek a meaningful legislative remedy for a substantial number of people. Four

years ago, with the assistance of Dr. Jernigan and the Federation, I began to work with my

colleagues in the House to reestablish the Social Security earnings-test link between

senior citizens and the blind. Dr. Jernigan emphasized to me how the de-linkage of this

historic tie would have a negative impact to the self-esteem of blind workers, preventing

them from pursuing better employment opportunities. In his memory, I pledge to continue

pushing for bipartisan legislation to restore this important incentive.

Dr. Jernigan will be greatly missed. His selfless

accomplishments on behalf of the blind and the sighted are immeasurable. Because of his

example, many of us will do the right thing by furthering his good work. It has been a

great honor to have worked with such an influential and highly respected leader.

In conclusion, I would respectfully enter into

the Record one of Dr. Jernigan's favorite sonnets, "Remember" by Christina

Rossetti. [There followed the text of the poem, which appears elsewhere in this issue.]