The Ocean County Library was honored to greet Congressman Chris Smith, who represents Ocean County and New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District in Washington, D.C.

He was met by Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, the Board's liaison to the Library; Ocean County Library Commission Chair, Ruthanne Scaturro; Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs Director Stephen Scaturro; Library Director Susan Quinn; and Ocean County Library Staff.

Congressman Chris Smith visited the Ocean County Library's Toms River Branch during National Autism Awareness Month. He reviewed the programs and activities in the library's 4th Annual Autism Resources Fair held virtually in 2021.

Congressman Smith was recipient of the Congressional Leadership Award by the "Autism Speaks" national advocacy group for his leadership on behalf of individuals with autism and their families. Congressman Smith authored the Autism CARES Act of 2019 to authorize $1.8 billion over five years to help children and adults with autism by funding research, early detection and treatment with broad bipartisan support and which was signed into law on September 30, 2019 by President Donald J. Trump.

The Joseph H. Vicari Sensory Space, in the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch, is designed to develop the senses, encourage communication and social interactions, relieve stress and anxiety, and promote calmness and well-being. It sends a positive message to people with varying degrees of sensory processing who might feel inhibited in social environments.

This article appeared on page 6 of the May 8, 2021 print edition of the Jackson Times, part of the Jersey Shore Online-MicroMedia network of papers.