<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><br><br><div dir="ltr">Jim Y. McCollum<div>j.mccollum64@comcast.net </div><div>860-581-0430 (mobile) </div><div>203-535-1620 (home)</div><div><br></div><div><div>Sent from my iPhone</div></div></div><div dir="ltr"><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> "Sigman, Brian" <Brian.Sigman@ct.gov><br><b>Date:</b> October 15, 2019 at 2:27:04 PM EDT<br><b>To:</b> DORS-DL BESB <DORS-DLBESB@ct.gov><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>Governor Lamont's Proclamation for Blind Americans Equality Day</b><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
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<b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">State of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">By His Excellency Edward M. Lamont Jr., Governor:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">An Official Statement<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;background:white"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">WHEREAS, for more than half a century our nation has set aside one day every year to honor the contributions of Americans who are blind or visually
impaired, and in that time we have built a more just and more inclusive society. We will continue to build upon these successes and remove barriers to education, employment and community involvement; and<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;background:white"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">WHEREAS, every day, Connecticut residents who are blind or visually impaired enrich our communities and demonstrate the inherent worth of every person,
and can also rightfully take pride in their contributions to the rich economic and social fabric of our community; and<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;background:white"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">WHEREAS, the government encourages employers, in both the public and private sector, to recognize the capabilities, skills and potential of citizens
who are blind or visually impaired; and<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">WHEREAS, October 15<sup>th</sup> has formerly been known as White Cane Safety Day across the United States since it was declared
by Congress and the President in 1964; and<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;background:white"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">WHEREAS, white canes and guide dogs have come to symbolize not only enhanced personal freedom through mobility, but equal rights and equal access
for persons who are blind, as well as reminders to society of the many successes of these hardworking individuals in their communities and places of employment; now<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">THEREFORE, I, Ned Lamont, Governor of the State of Connecticut, to celebrate the past achievements and future potential of all of Connecticut’s
citizens who are blind or visually impaired, do hereby proclaim October 15, 2019 as<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-transform:uppercase">Blind americans Equality day<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">In the State of Connecticut.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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