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<h1><b>President's Notebook</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h1><b>National Federation of the Blind</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h1><b>Mark A. Riccobono</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h1><b><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a></b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h1><b>410-659-9314</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
Dear Fellow Federationists,<br>
<br>
A huge happy Veterans Day to all of our military veterans and those who
are family members of military veterans. For all of the struggles we
still face in gaining equality and opportunity in our nation, we
recognize that the United States of America still offers us the best
prospects for full participation because of the sacrifices and struggles
that our military personnel have made and continue to make. Thank you to
those of you who have served in the military. I hope each of you are
doing something to honor and support our veterans.<br>
<br>
By now you have heard about the passing of long-time Federation leader
Donald Capps of South Carolina.
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/memoriam-dr-donald-capps">
Read our news page</a> about the passing of Dr. Capps including the
statement I wrote for the funeral, which was yesterday afternoon.<br>
<br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Public Briefing on Elimination of 14(c):<br>
On Friday,<b> </b>November 15, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., the United States
Commission on Civil Rights will hold a public briefing on the elimination
of Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Anil Lewis will testify
on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind. Our members are
welcome to submit comments to
<a href="mailto:subminimumwages@usccr.gov">subminimumwages@usccr.gov</a>
for the commission’s consideration no later than December 15, 2019.
From this investigation, the commission plans to issue a report with
actionable recommendations to address this critical civil rights issue.
<br><br>
<h3><b>Great Gathering-In:</b></h3><br><br>
The Washington Seminar Great Gathering-In will be Monday, February 10,
2020 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. In addition, all affiliate presidents and
legislative directors are urged to attend an in-depth training scheduled
for that same day at the Holiday Inn from 9:00 a.m. to noon. We will also
be conducting the usual training from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. All Washington
Seminar participants are urged to attend the afternoon training session.
In order to make sure everyone is available, we will not be scheduling
any other meetings during this time frame.
<a name="_Hlk24375024"></a>Finally, we are planning to host a
Congressional reception on Tuesday, February 11 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
All Washington Seminar participants are urged to attend this reception.
<br><br>
<h2><b>Reminder:</b></h2><br><br>
Braille Letters from Santa:<br>
It is time for Santa letters. From now until December 16, parents can go
online at
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/santa-letters">www.nfb.org/santa-letters</a>
and fill out a request for a Braille letter from Santa. The form can also
be printed and faxed to 410-685-2340 or emailed to
<a href="mailto:communityrelations@nfb.org">communityrelations@nfb.org</a>
. Beginning Monday, December 2, the Braille letters from Santa will start
going out to boys and girls around the country. The Braille letter will
also be accompanied by a print copy (for mom and dad to read) as well as
some other fun Christmastime activities. The deadline for letter requests
is December 16 to ensure that a return letter in Braille is received
before Christmas. For more information, visit
<a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a>. <br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>January 9-11, 2020: NFB BELL® Academy Training Seminar
<li>February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
<li>March 26-27, 2020: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium, Baltimore,
Maryland
<li>April 14-17, 2020: <a href="http://www.blindmerchants.org">NABM
BLAST</a>; Chicago, Illinois
<li>July 14-19, 2020: NFB National Convention, Houston, Texas
</ul> <br>
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.<br>
<br>
<br>
Mark A. Riccobono, President<br>
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
(410) 659-9314 |
<a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a> <br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" width=210 height=76 alt="National Federation of the Blind">
</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" width=24 height=24 alt="Facebook">
</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" width=24 height=24 alt="Twitter">
</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" width=24 height=24 alt="Youtube">
</a><br>
<br>
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind.
Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
<br>
<br>
<br><br>
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