PRINTER'S NO. 2223
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
510
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY BULLOCK, HELM, THOMAS, PICKETT, BIZZARRO, DAVIS,
PHILLIPS-HILL, ROZZI, KIRKLAND, COHEN, YOUNGBLOOD, DRISCOLL,
MURT, READSHAW, CALTAGIRONE, LONGIETTI, ACOSTA, DUSH, SONNEY,
NEILSON, O'BRIEN, WATSON, C. PARKER, DONATUCCI, V. BROWN,
HENNESSEY, DiGIROLAMO, MILLARD, SCHLOSSBERG, J. HARRIS,
McNEILL, KILLION, MARSHALL, BOBACK, PASHINSKI, MAHONEY,
A. HARRIS, ROSS, GERGELY, KIM, BISHOP, O'NEILL, HARHAI,
MAJOR, GILLEN, MARSICO, FARINA, GINGRICH, GIBBONS, D. COSTA,
SAYLOR AND WARD, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
SEPTEMBER 29, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of October 2015 as "Meet the Blind Month"
in Pennsylvania and recognizing October 15, 2015, as "White
Cane Safety Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) was
founded in 1940 to end discrimination against people who are
blind and to secure first-class citizenship for all blind
persons; and
WHEREAS, Today the NFB represents more than 50,000 members
across this nation and continues to work to secure equal rights
and opportunities for all individuals who are blind or visually
impaired; and
WHEREAS, The NFB and other organizations work to change
attitudes about blindness by providing information to parents,
teachers and school administrators and to businesses, government
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and social and civic leaders; and
WHEREAS, Since blindness is still frequently misunderstood, a
public education campaign, Meet the Blind Month, was developed
to create opportunities for people to learn firsthand that
individuals who are blind or visually impaired are like everyone
else; and
WHEREAS, The white cane symbolizes the ability of every blind
or visually impaired resident of this Commonwealth to achieve a
full and independent life; and
WHEREAS, The white cane allows every blind or visually
impaired person to move freely and safely from place to place
and without it such travel would be difficult and dangerous; and
WHEREAS, The white cane serves as a tangible reminder that
those who are blind or visually impaired are self-sufficient,
mobile and capable of participating in the life of their
communities and contributing to the success of our society; and
WHEREAS, In the first white cane proclamation issued in 1964,
President Lyndon B. Johnson commended blind and visually
impaired individuals for their growing spirit of independence
and their increased determination to be self-reliant and
dignified; and
WHEREAS, President Johnson also said that in our society the
white cane has become a unique symbol of a blind or visually
impaired person's ability to come and go independently and its
use has promoted courtesy and opportunity for mobility of people
who are blind on our streets and highways; and
WHEREAS, The white cane reminds us that when approaching a
blind or visually impaired person, we should always exercise
appropriate caution, especially if operating an automobile;
therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the National Federation of the Blind (NFB),
the Lions Club International and other organizations promote
events such as Meet the Blind Month in October and National and
International White Cane Safety Day on October 15 to promote
understanding of blindness and to learn more about those who are
blind or visually impaired and the efforts they make to lead
full and active lives; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of October 2015 as "Meet the Blind Month" in Pennsylvania,
recognize October 15, 2015, as "White Cane Safety Day" in
Pennsylvania, urge residents and communities in this
Commonwealth to participate in organized events and thank the
NFB, the Lions Club International and other organizations
involved in the observances for their efforts to promote
understanding of issues involving blindness and the people in
this Commonwealth who are blind or visually impaired and their
efforts to achieve their aspirations, hopes and full abilities
in society.
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