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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Greetings Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I hope everyone made it home safely and that you enjoyed our recent state convention. This year’s event was truly one of the most successful we've had in a long time. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to President Camille Tate and to all of you for helping to make our convention such a meaningful and impactful experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We have much to be proud of. Over the past year, our affiliate has achieved significant victories—both at the state and national levels. At the state level, we successfully opposed legislation that would have merged the General Agency with Blind Services, and we stood firm against efforts to undermine our voting rights, among other accomplishments. Nationally, we continue to advocate for competitive integrated employment and to defend against proposals, such as changes to IDEA, and Section 504, that would limit our full participation in society as first-class citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>These successes are a testament to the power of our collective action. We must continue to build on the foundation laid by our founding leaders and press forward in the ongoing fight for civil rights. The blind movement depends on each of us to be a strong voice for our nation and communities, so that all blind individuals can live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>President Tate has outlined our priorities for the coming year, and it’s imperative that we carry this momentum forward. As we prepare to gather again next year in convention assembled in Jacksonville, Florida, let us strive to report even greater progress across both our state and our nation. The challenges ahead are real, but so is our resolve. We must show our lawmakers that the blind will not be silenced, ignored, or left behind. We will continue advocating until we are recognized and treated as equals to our sighted peers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thank you all for your participation in the convention. To our first-time attendees, welcome! I hope you found the experience enriching and that you return to your chapters and divisions energized and equipped to strengthen the work of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Let’s go build the national Federation of the Blind. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Jorge Hernandez, President <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Miami-Dade Chapter <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>