[Nfbv-announce] Virginia General Assembly Commends the National Federation of the Blind

[Michael Kasey]

HJ 914 Commending the National Federation of the Blind

 

2015 SESSION 

Introduced by: Mark L. Cole
<http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?151+mbr+H142> 

 

INTRODUCED 

 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 914 

 Offered February 23, 2015 

 Commending the National Federation of the Blind. 

Patrons--Cole, Howell and Minchew; Senators: Howell and Reeves 

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. 

INTRODUCED HJ914 

2/24/15 16:14

 

 


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 have the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.