<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Fellow
Federationists and Friends,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">January 1st
not only kicked off the start of a new year but also the 50th anniversary year
of <span style="font-size:11pt">the National
Federation of the Blind of Nebraska. It has been a lot of fun this last month
or so digging </span><span style="font-size:11pt">through our Affiliate’s
history and we look forward to sharing pieces of it with you Over the course of
the coming year. celebrating some of our Triumphs and successes of the last 50
years as we look forward to the next 50 years.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We are
currently working on plans that will peak during our 50 th State Convention in
October to be <span style="font-size:11pt">held in
Omaha where it all started back in 1971. We hope that all of you celebrate with
us throughout </span><span style="font-size:11pt">the year and
join us in Omaha in October.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">I thought
that at this time it would be appropriate to share with everyone the following
2 articles from the Braille Monitor. The first was written by Mary Ellen
Anderson (now Mary Ellen Jernigan) and was published in the April 1971 edition
of the Braille Monitor. The second was written by our first Affiliate President
Dick Parker and appeared in the February 1972 edition of the Braille Monitor. We
hope that you enjoy these memories of our beginnings and celebrate with us
throughout this year.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:windowtext">NEW AFFILIATE IN NEBRASKA</span></b></h2>
<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:windowtext">by Mary Ellen Anderson<b></b></span></h2>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prominent
signs all over Nebraska display with pride the words, WE ARE NUMBER ONE. The
reference, of course, is to Nebraska University's recent victorious football
season. These signs have come to symbolize something entirely different to the
blind of the State, who on January 30, 1971, established the National
Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, thereby earning the number one position on
the 1971 NFB scoreboard of organizational victory.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Late in
1970 President Jernigan had met with Jack Swager, president of our Nebraska
affiliate, the Omaha Association of the Blind, and with other blind Nebraskans,
exploring plans for statewide expansion.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Following
that preliminary planning, Arlene Gashel (wife of NFB Student Division
president, James Gashel) and I drove to Omaha on January 8, to finalize
arrangements for a full-fledged organizational drive later in the month. Our
host, Jack Swager, treated us to a delightful dinner that evening and later
arranged for us to meet with other leaders of the Omaha Association of the
Blind.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Soon we
had established the framework for the expansion. The goal: a vigorous,
effective, statewide affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind. The
vehicle: a constitutional convention to be held in Omaha, January 30, 1971, and
to be conducted by NFB President, Kenneth Jernigan. The team: members of the
Omaha Association of the Blind, other interested blind Nebraskans, Mrs. Melvon
Ireland of Lincoln, Susan and John Ford of Montana, Jim Omvig and Mark Hieftje
of Des Moines, Arlene Gashel, and myself. The scope: new chapters in Lincoln,
Grand Island, North Platte, and the Omaha metropolitan area, members at large
throughout the State.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The
following morning Arlene and I negotiated convention arrangements with the
Hotel Fontenelle, deposited a trunkload of Braille and talking book Federation
literature into Jack Swager's safekeeping, and headed west for Lincoln. Before
leaving Nebraska on Tuesday, January 12, we had collected a long list of <i>Monitor</i> additions,
many commitments for the January 30 meeting, and several members at large.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On
January 19, Arlene and I returned to Nebraska, soon to be joined by the rest of
the team. Beginning in Lincoln, I worked my way west to Grand Island, while
Arlene established headquarters at the Fontenelle in Omaha. Mr. and Mrs. Jim
Omvig arrived in Omaha Friday night and worked through the weekend. On Sunday,
John Ford, president of the Montana Association of the Blind, and his wife
Susan arrived, as did Mark Heiftje of Des Moines.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Early
Monday morning the team dispersed throughout the State. Susan and John set off
to North Platte. Arlene and Mark journeyed to Fremont, while I manned the Omaha
headquarters. The middle of the week found Susan, John, and me in Lincoln, with
Arlene and Mark back at headquarters. It was about this time also, that I began
paying close attention to my speedometer, having some fear of renewing my
acquaintance with the radar officer I had met while driving from Grand Island
to Omaha.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Everywhere
we went the story was the same. Blind Nebraskans stood ready, willing and able
to accept the responsibility and the challenge of joining the organized blind
movement. Soon a host of them were actively involved in the effort. Commitments
to attend the organizational meeting mounted steadily.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Leaders
from Lincoln, Grand Island, North Platte, and Omaha were on hand at the
Fontenelle to meet with President Jernigan when he arrived on Friday evening.
Incidentally, you'll be happy to learn that the President arrived without being
required to make his customary stop for replacement of burned-out tires.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Early
Saturday morning contingents of blind persons began gathering for an eventful
and productive day. Shortly after 10:00 a.m. Dr. Jernigan called the convention
to order. Broad discussion throughout the morning session brought the purposes
and goals of the Federation into sharp focus. In a spirited debate prior to the
luncheon break, the group elected to call itself the National Federation of the
Blind of Nebraska.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During
the action-packed afternoon session, two local chapters (Lincoln and
Tri-County) were established, a constitution adopted, and officers and board
members elected.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dick
Parker of Omaha was elected president. A barber before losing his sight about
five years ago as a result of diabetes, Dick has since been employed as a
machinist and is currently seeking employment in that area. A true
Federationist who hadn't yet heard of the Federation is the best way I know how
to describe his overall philosophy. A lovely wife, three children, ages eight,
six, and six months, wood working, and citizen's band radio fill Dick's spare
time.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">First
vice president is John Smith of Lincoln. John, a <i>Monitor</i> reader
for many years, is a Rehabilitation Services Consultant with Nebraska Services
for the Visually Impaired. A graduate of Louisiana State University, John has
done graduate work at Southern Illinois University and at the University of
Minnesota.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Second
vice president, Jack Swager, veteran President of the Omaha Association of the
Blind needs little introduction. Jack is self employed as the operator of
Nebraska Blind Products.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mrs.
Melvon Ireland of Lincoln was elected secretary. The only sighted member of the
board, Mrs. Ireland is by no means new to the Federation. As a matter of fact,
three members of her family are currently officers in other State affiliates:
son, Curtis Willoughby, first vice president of the Iowa Association of the
Blind; son-in-law John Ford, president of the Montana Association of the Blind;
and son-in-law. Chuck Walhof, first vice president Gem State Blind, Idaho.
Additionally, daughter Ramona Walhof is past chairman of the NFB Teacher's
Division and a former officer of the Student Division. Mrs. Ireland's husband,
Melvon, is a minister in the United Methodist Church.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Treasurer,
Dick Gulizia, of Omaha is a teacher of modern problems at Holy Name High School
and is completing residence requirements for his Ph.D. at the University of
Nebraska. Dick and his wife have two sons and a daughter, age eight, seven, and
four.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Board
member Dick Zlab of Omaha is an assembler for Western Electric, and a former
member of the Colorado Federation of the Blind. Stan Yank of Omaha was elected
to fill the second board position Stan is employed as Personnel Director for
Douglas County Social Services. A graduate of the University of Nebraska with
graduate work m sociology, Stan is vice chairman of the Mayor's Committee on
Hiring the Handicapped, a board member of the Governor's Committee on
Employment of the Handicapped, and a Chapter One board member of the Nebraska
Welfare Association. Third board member is Ralph Doud of Grand Island,
president of the NFB of Nebraska's new Central Chapter. Before retirement,
Ralph was employed by the Omaha World Herald. Larry Wallace, president of the
North Platte Chapter, was elected to the final board position. Larry is a
vending stand operator and an active Jaycee.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The
National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska begins its existence with one
hundred ninety-eight members and five chapters. Immediate attention will be
given to removal of the lien law, passage of the Model White Cane Law, and
enactment of a little Randolph-Sheppard bill. A big undertaking for a new
affiliate, but then, this is a big new affiliate. And remember, these guys have
all those NUMBER ONE signs to live up to. My bet is that they'll do it!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:windowtext">MEET OUR STATE PRESIDENT--DICK
PARKER AND MEET OUR STATE AFFILIATE—NEBRASKA</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">By Dick Parker</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Where does one begin to describe himself? I guess the best
place is at the beginning. I was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa (one of six
children). We moved to Hastings, Iowa when I was five. I attended school there
through the eighth grade. We moved back to Council Bluffs in 1959 after the
death of my father. I attended high school in Council Bluffs. After graduating
from barber school in Omaha, I worked as a barber until at age twenty-two I
lost my sight due to diabetes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">I worked as a machine operator for a local company until it
went bankrupt in 1970. I am now the president of my own small manufacturing
company which makes pet products. I have a lovely wife, who is also a staunch
Federationist, and three children. What more can I say except that I have never
been happier or prouder than I am now since becoming an NFB member last
January.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We the blind in Nebraska have just awakened from a long
nap. Since reorganizing in January, 1971, we have thus far been able to secure
passage of the Model White Cane Bill and also remove the lien law against not
only the blind but the disabled and elderly. We hope in the near future to
introduce and secure passage of the little Randolph-Sheppard Act.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We started our new existence in January with a rousing
attendance of one hundred. Our State-wide membership is approaching the
neighborhood of two hundred sixty. We have local affiliates in North Platte,
Grand Island, Lincoln, and two in the Omaha metropolitan area. All five locals
worked on a fundraising drive which took place in October. Each local affiliate
determined for itself the manner in which it wished to raise funds. All
affiliates participated at the same time, contributing fifty percent of the
profits to the State treasury and retaining the other half.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We in the NFB of Nebraska are proud to have joined with you
and President Jernigan on the barricades. We have just begun but begun we have.
President Jernigan on the first occasion I met him asked me a very embarrassing
question. I feel it might not only be appropriate for us in Nebraska but for
every blind person to ask himself the same question, "Why haven't you
joined the blind movement before now?"</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div>National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska</div><div>Phone: 402-477-7711</div><div>Email: <a href="mailto:info@ne.nfb.org" target="_blank">info@ne.nfb.org</a></div><div>Web: <a href="http://www.ne.nfb.org" target="_blank">http://www.ne.nfb.org</a></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">Facebook: <a href="https://facebook.com/nebraskasblind" target="_blank">https://facebook.com/nebraskasblind</a></span><br></div><div>Twitter: @nfbn</div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Youtube: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/youtube-nfbn">https://tinyurl.com/youtube-nfbn</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><br></p></div><div><p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">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. </span></p></div></div></div></div>