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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in'><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Today, we lost a true friend and inspiring leader in the National Federation of the Blind. This afternoon, after over 2 weeks in intensive care, Brian Miller passed away from COVID-19. Brian has been a role model and mentor to so many members of our organization, including myself. Many of the major recent accomplishments of the Virginia affiliate are built on insights from Brian including the Project RISE program, the expanded college scholarship program, the chapter leadership development program, the hosting of the 2018 National Federation of the Blind convention, and the efforts to invigorate chapters with engaging new programming.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Brian brought creativity, humor and energy to all aspects of our work but also warmth and friendship to his interaction with everyone. Brian made me think creatively, read better books, plan better vacations, and believe in myself and what we could accomplish together. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We are heartbroken by this news and hope we can be together soon to console each other. As memorial plans are determined, we will keep people posted.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>During this difficult time, I also wanted to share additional thoughts from Bonnie O’Day, and Brian's family included below:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> From Bonnie O’Day<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>It is with profound sadness that I tell you that Brian Miller passed away<br>today at 12:55 PM from the COVID-19 virus. He was hospitalized in Alexandria<br>Hospital about three weeks ago and valiantly fought the virus. Brian was a<br>friend, a mentor, a colleague, a beautiful singer and a true leader in the<br>Federation. He established the Greater Alexandria Chapter of the NFB and<br>served as its President for two years. He made sure the chapter was on<br>strong footing through his mentorship of the chapter's current leadership.<br>We all remember the productive, yet fun, meetings in his party room and the<br>informal gatherings afterward in his apartment. Our hearts go out to all of<br>Brian's family and friends. We will all miss him.<br><br>I received the following note from the family.<br>Son, brother, friend and beloved Brian Miller passed today, Monday April 13<br>at 12:55 PM in Alexandria. Brian was so many things to so many people:<br>mentor, colleague, confidant, and much more...he put into words and song<br>what he felt about parting, love, and loss. This video is from his<br>grandmother's funeral. And may it give us all strength now.<br><a href="https://youtu.be/_KcFiaQ5bcs" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/_KcFiaQ5bcs</a><br>Rest in peace, Brian Miller.<br><br><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></blockquote></div></div></blockquote></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>-- <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sharon Appel <br>703-304-6813<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>