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                                                      PRINTER'S NO. 3505

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE RESOLUTION

No. 679 Session of 2008


        INTRODUCED BY M. O'BRIEN, KENNEY, BLACKWELL, BEYER, BUXTON,
           ADOLPH, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE, GEORGE, GODSHALL, GRUCELA,
           HARKINS, MANTZ, MARKOSEK, McCALL, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MOUL,
           MUSTIO, O'NEILL, PAYNE, READSHAW, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO,
           STERN, SWANGER, WOJNAROSKI, YOUNGBLOOD, MENSCH, BEAR,
           J. TAYLOR AND REICHLEY, APRIL 1, 2008

        INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
           APRIL 1, 2008

                                  A RESOLUTION

     1  Commemorating the 25th anniversary of Associated Services for
     2     the Blind and Visually Impaired.

     3     WHEREAS, Associated Services for the Blind and Visually
     4  Impaired (ASB) was formed in 1983 from the merger of the Radio
     5  Information Center for the Blind, the Nevil Institute for
     6  Rehabilitation Services and Volunteer Services for the Blind;
     7  and
     8     WHEREAS, ASB traces its lineage back to the establishment of
     9  the Pennsylvania Working Home for Blind Men in 1874; and
    10     WHEREAS, ASB is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to
    11  the blind and visually impaired in the Delaware Valley; and
    12     WHEREAS, ASB's Certified Rehabilitation Teachers and Mobility
    13  Specialists help their clients increase their independence and
    14  improve their self-esteem by teaching them to travel with white
    15  canes and handheld telescopes, to use public transportation and


     1  to prepare meals, become literate in Braille and to label and
     2  select clothing; and
     3     WHEREAS, ASB's Computer Technology Center opens doors for the
     4  blind and visually impaired by teaching them to use assistive
     5  technology that magnifies text or reads it aloud using
     6  synthesized speech; and
     7     WHEREAS, ASB's Radio Information Center helps keep the blind
     8  and visually impaired of southeastern Pennsylvania connected to
     9  their world by providing readings of the latest news, current
    10  events and human interest stories in addition to important
    11  updates on relevant health and medical concerns; and
    12     WHEREAS, ASB's Braille Division is one of only five major
    13  print shops and publishers of Braille in this nation, which
    14  presses, collates and binds more than nine million pages of
    15  books, periodicals, brochures, manuals, forms and statements
    16  each year for businesses and libraries across this Commonwealth,
    17  as well as the Library of Congress; and
    18     WHEREAS, ASB's volunteers create audio recordings of books
    19  and periodicals for the benefit of blind, visually impaired and
    20  physically disabled adults and children nationwide; and
    21     WHEREAS, ASB's Specialized Services Department contributes
    22  immeasurably to the health and well-being of the blind and
    23  visually impaired throughout southeastern Pennsylvania through
    24  its low vision and diabetes support groups, English as a Second
    25  Language classes, life skills education programs to promote
    26  independent living, garden, recreation and shopping assistance
    27  programs, legal clinic and other essential services; therefore
    28  be it
    29     RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commemorate the
    30  25th anniversary of Associated Services for the Blind and
    20080H0679R3505                  - 2 -     

     1  Visually Impaired and recognize the contributions of ASB to the
     2  people of this Commonwealth; and be it further
     3     RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
     4  Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 919
     5  Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

















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