February 24, 2014
On Monday, February 24, 2014, BL2 was honored to host a visit from Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA). Mr. Takano was recently instrumental in introducing to Congress H.R. 4040, the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act, a bill aimed at reforming education for deaf and blind students. He is the Co-chair of the newly established Congressional Deaf Caucus, also co-chaired by Gallaudet University Board of Trustee member Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-KS), which is dedicated to assisting Congress members in working with deaf constituents and to providing deaf people internship and employment opportunities in Congressional offices. During the tour, Rep. Takano was introduced to the results from our studies on bilingualism and sign languages, but he was particularly interested in how children learn to read. Takano, a former teacher, represents a district that includes California School for the Deaf, Riverside. Among those present for the tour were President Alan Hurwitz, Provost Stephen Weiner, and Mr. Takano’s aide Claire Viall.