Huntington, NY - October 15, 2018 - Congressman Tom Suozzi (D – Long Island, Queens), since arriving in Congress, has secured a total of 3.5 million dollar increase in annual appropriations for the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC). When combined with 2018, this increases the Center’s funding by a dramatic 31 percent, and will result in expanded services to individuals who are deaf-blind.
“HKNC does work that represents miracles in people’s lives. It is an honor to have this national institution, headquartered in Sands Point, in the congressional district that I serve. I am proud that I could negotiate this increase in funding that will go a long way in helping these truly exceptional people continue to do remarkable work,” said Suozzi.
“From day one, Tom Suozzi has been our biggest supporter,” said HKNC Executive Director Susan Ruzenski. “He has always worked and advocated on our behalf. We were the first place he visited after his election to Congress and he has delivered on every promise, before or since. Congressman Suozzi is the best champion we have, and we are eternally grateful to him for his consistent, considerable support of HKNC.”
“Congressman Suozzi’s extraordinary role in championing the need for expanded HKNC services benefits deaf-blind individuals, their families, and service providers here on Long Island and across the United States. Everyone at Helen Keller Services joins me in thanking him for his steadfast commitment to our mission,” said Joseph Bruno, Helen Keller Services (HKS) President and CEO.
“We are confident that without Congressman Suozzi’s remarkable effort to obtain bi-partisan support, HKNC would not have realized such incredible success in obtaining this funding,” concluded Ruzenski.
HKNC is a division of Helen Keller Services (HKS) and was established as an Act of Congress in 1967. HKNC, headquartered in Sands Point, NY, provides comprehensive vocational and independent living training to youths and adults who are deaf-blind, and is the only national comprehensive program working exclusively with youth and adults with a combined vision and hearing loss.