THE BILL WILKERSON HEARING AND SPEECH CENTER
NASHVILLE 4, TENNESSEE

W. W. BERRY, PRESIDENT

W. 0. VAUGHAN, M. D., VICE-PRES.

GRANVILLE S. BOURNE, SECRETARY

CULLEN DOUGLASS, TREASURER

W. W. WILKERSON, M. D., CHM. OF THE BOARD June 3 ' 1959

Representative John E. Fogarty
House Office Building
Washington 25, D. C.

Dear Representative Fogarty:

I trust that you had an excellent trip and obtained the information for which you
went, as your reaction to the various programs of health is vital to the nation.

I missed seeing you in Washington, but Mr. Kelley and Miss Bernie were truly.
helpful. During the meeting of the Working. Conference on Hearing Conservation,
Res. H.J. 316 was openly discussed on the floor. Following this, and at the
suggestion of Dr. Elstad, a meeting was held attended by the following:

Dr. Leonard Elstad, President, Gallaudet College, Washington, D. C.

Dr. Richard Silverman, Director, Central Institute for the Deaf, St. Louis, Missouri,
President, Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf.

Dr. Clarence O'Connor, Superintendent, Lexington School for the Deaf, New York.

Dr. Lloyd Graunke, Superintendent, Tennessee School for the Deaf, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Dr. Louis DiCarlo, Director, Gordon Hoople Hearing and Speech Center, Syracuse;
Professor of Special Education, Syracuse University.

Mr. Howard Quigley, Superintendent, Minnesota School for the Deaf, Fairbault,
Minnesota, Chairman, Committee on Certification for Teachers of the Deaf.
Conference of American Executives of Schools for the Deaf.

Dr. Daniel Cloud, Superintendent, New York School for the Deaf, White Plains, New
York, representing Dr. Edward Abernathy, Superintendent, Ohio State School in
Columbus, President of the Conference of Executives of American Schools for the
Deaf.

Dr. George Pratt, Principal, Clarke School for the Deaf, Northampton, Massachusetts,
and Chairman of Legislative Committee of the Alexander Graham Bell Association

for the Deaf.

Dr. Hallowell Davis, Director of Research, Central Institute for the Deaf, St. Louis.

Dr. Freeman McConnell, Director, The Bill Wilkerson Hearing and Speech Center,

Nashville, Tennessee.

Dr. W. W. Wilkerson, Jr., Medical Director and Chairman of the Board, The Bill
Wilkerson Hearing and Speech Center, Nashville, Tennessee.

Superintendent, Rhode Island School for the Deaf. Did not obtain name.
page two
Representative John E. Fogarty
June 3, 1959

After a two-hour discussion, it was agreed by those representing the teachers of
the deaf, including Dr. Elstad, that if three words were deleted from the bill,
they would be truly satisfied. The three words, "are deaf or," on page 3, line 16,
can be deleted without damaging your bill in any way, in my opinion. With this
change, we will have the support of the group listed above. They are planning

on having Senator Lister Hill to introduce a bill, specifically for a program for
training of teachers of the deaf.

Also, while I was in Washington, Miss Hillyer of O.V.R. asked that I see her.

At the conference, I gathered the impression that O.V.R. was opposed to your bill,

as she felt that any enlargment or gains made in the teaching area should be
specifically placed under O.V.R. The reasons she gave for opposing the bill, .
however, were that the Advisory Committee was too large, that the word, "conjuction,"
on page 4, line 23, was indefinite, and that definite standards should not be spelled
out in the bill as you have done by stating that an institution must have three

persons with Doctoral degrees before being considered to receive grants.

Apparantly, due to the introduction of this bill, O.V.R. has broadened its hearing
and speech training program, but it does not meet the objectives as found in your
bill. I am quite sure that their report to the Sub-Committee on Special Education
will not be favorable unless you use your influence.

I received the impression that the Department of Education is neither for nor against
the proposal. I do not know what course of action the Department of Public Health
will take,

I had a short conference with Representative Carl Elliott, and he advised that I see
Miss Mary Allen to arrange for the public hearings. She suggested that you open
the hearings and that I should close them. Further, she suggested that we have
an additional six to twelve witnesses, and that one of them should be Governor
Clement. Believe this or not, it was her suggestion and not mine. She asked

that I write to various people that I though might present excellent testimony.

I discussed this with Mr. Kelley, and he, too, said that I should follow her suggestion.
So far, I have received no definite promises from those whom I have requested to
act as witnesses, but only a few days have elapsed since they received my request.

Miss Allen felt that Drs. Seiger and Lesser would make excellent witnesses, and I
wrote Mr. Kelley accordingly, leaving that matter in his hands. So that we might
correlate the number of witnesses, will you please let me know whom you would
like to have serve as witnesses, and whether or not they accept your invitation.
page three
Representative John E. Fogarty
June 3, 1959

Though Miss Allen stated that she would not invite anyone to testify that she
felt would oppose the measure, nevertheless, I have the feeling that it would
be wise to obtain one or two persons from various sections of the country to
speak for O.V.R. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation has done an excellent
job, and I have not desire to slight them. However, that decision rests entirely
with you, and also the choice of indifiduals to act as witnesses.

I have not received any information as to whether Senator Lister Hill will or will
not introduce this measure and urge its passage in the Senate. I woulditruly like
to have that information as soon as you have an opportunity to discuss the matter
with the Senator.

I am enclosing material which I will utilize at the time of the Hearings. Some of
this material I have forwarded to Congressman Elliott, Miss Allen, and Mr. Allen
Pond of the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, as they
requested. Mr. Allen Pond told me while I was in Washington that he did not know
what attitude the administration would take in regard to this measure, but that
both he and Dr. McGuiniss were heartily in favor of its passage, and further, that
he would use his influence to have the administration support it.

As witnesses are developed, I shall let you know. Please believe that I have only
the greatest desire to do that which you want me to do, and I constantly have the
feeling that Iam encroaching upon your perogative. Please feel free to give

advice, suggestions, and tell me when to start and stop. I anticipate seeing you

at least the day before the Hearings are held so that I can learn your strategy and do
what you want me to do at the Hearings.

I apologize for the length of this letter, but because of your absence, I had much
to report. I am indeed grateful to you and your staff for the fine work you are doing,
and the cooperation which you have given me. My kindest personal regards and
best wishes are extended to you.

Yours very faithfully ,

LW ithe ewe!

WwW. W. Wilkerson, Jr. M. D.

WWW /ap