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2015 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 914
Commending the National Federation of the Blind.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 25, 2015
Agreed to by the Senate, February 26, 2015

 

WHEREAS, in 2015, the National Federation of the Blind celebrates its 75th anniversary as the oldest and largest organization in the United States led by blind people, bringing them together to work collectively to improve their lives; and

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) was founded in 1940; its first logo featured the words “Security, Equality, and Opportunity,” all of which were pressing needs for the nation’s blind people; and

WHEREAS, in the early days, the leaders of the NFB focused on those three goals by working to help blind people live independently, have equal opportunity in employment, and have equal access to housing, transportation, and places of public accommodation; and

WHEREAS, the philosophy of the NFB is that a person’s blindness should not be the characteristic that defines his future; the organization works to raise the expectations of the nation’s blind people so that they can live the lives they want; and

WHEREAS, a network of local chapters, state affiliates, and nationwide divisions make up the NFB; the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, which is one of 52 affiliates, has 15 chapters throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia chapter of the NFB also consists of several divisions that focus on specific areas of interest to blind persons, including divisions for students, parents, and merchants; the Virginia chapter also has a deaf-blind division and additionally, it sponsors an association to promote the use of Braille; and

WHEREAS, as the leading force for the nation’s blind people and the voice of the nation’s blind, the NFB—and its Virginia chapter—improves lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs that encourage independence and self-confidence; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the National Federation of the Blind on the occasion of its 75th anniversary as the oldest and largest organization in the United States led by blind people, bringing them together to work collectively to improve their lives; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Michael Kasey, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for the organization’s tireless work on behalf of blind people.