1Designating October 15, 2013, as "White Cane Safety Day" and
2October 2013 as "Blindness Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, The freedom to move from place to place at will and
4without barriers is one of our most basic human rights, and for
5people who are blind or visually impaired, the white cane helps
6to make such freedom of movement possible; and

7WHEREAS, The white cane demonstrates and symbolizes a blind
8or visually impaired person's ability to achieve a full and
9independent life and the person's capacity to work productively
10in competitive employment; and

11WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1910, the Pennsylvania
12Association for the Blind and its member agencies have
13tirelessly supported and promoted the interests of people who

1are blind or visually impaired and have provided essential
2services to assist blind Pennsylvanians in achieving self-
3reliance and autonomy; and

4WHEREAS, The Commonwealth supports the vitally important work
5of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind as it enhances
6public awareness about ways to prevent and treat blindness and
7other serious vision impairments that are highlighted by events
8each year during the month of October; therefore be it

9RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate October
1015, 2013, as "White Cane Safety Day" and the month of October
112013 as "Blindness Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.