Senator Tom Harkin's open letter to Gallaudet students, faculty, administrators and board of trustees

March 11, 1998
Subcommittee on the Handicapped
113 Hart Senate
Office Bldg.

AN OPEN LETTER TO STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, ADMINISTRATORS, ALUMNI AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

Dear Folks:
Congratulations. You have succeeded in educating the world about deafness, the concerns of deaf people, and the simple truth that we all need and are entitled to dignity and respect. You communicated your message with clarity and forcefulness. Your actions will have a positive impact on future generations of hearing and deaf persons both here and abroad. By your actions, you have brought the deaf community together. You are my heroes. I look forward to meeting the next President of Gallaudet University — who I expect will be deaf.

Sincerely,
Tom Harkin
Chairman