PRINTER'S NO.  3879

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

No.

796

Session of

2012

  

  

INTRODUCED BY MIRABITO, EVERETT, BAKER, CAUSER, BEAR, BRENNAN, BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, DALEY, DENLINGER, DiGIROLAMO, FABRIZIO, GEORGE, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HARHAI, HENNESSEY, HESS, JAMES, KAVULICH, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, MAJOR, MALONEY, MANN, MILLARD, MURT, O'NEILL, PICKETT, QUINN, READSHAW, ROCK, ROSS, SAINATO, SCAVELLO, SCHMOTZER, STABACK, VEREB, WATERS, WILLIAMS, YOUNGBLOOD AND GILLEN, JUNE 29, 2012

  

  

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JUNE 29, 2012  

  

  

  

A RESOLUTION

  

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Celebrating the 55th anniversary of North Central Sight

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Services, Inc.

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WHEREAS, North Central Sight Services, Inc., formerly known

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as the Lycoming County Association for the Blind, was

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incorporated on February 7, 1957, as the 29th branch of the

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Pennsylvania Association for the Blind in Williamsport,

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Pennsylvania; and

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WHEREAS, Approximately 20 million American adults are

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afflicted with blindness or visual impairment, including nearly

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60,000 children and 250,000 Pennsylvanians; and

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WHEREAS, Macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are

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just two of the many visual impairments that afflict thousands

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of Pennsylvanians as well as people worldwide; and

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WHEREAS, The National Institutes of Health, National Eye

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Institute (NEI) estimates that the incidence of macular

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degeneration is 1.47% of the general population and the rate is

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significantly higher in those geographical areas with older

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populations; and

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WHEREAS, The NEI also reports that age-related macular

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degeneration is more prevalent among Caucasians than among

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African Americans, and the number of persons with AMD will

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likely increase 50% by 2020 due to the rapidly aging population;

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and

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WHEREAS, The NEI approximates that the incidence rate of

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diabetic retinopathy is 3.4% of the general population but is

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significantly higher among diabetics at 40.3%, and 1 in 12

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persons with diabetes have advanced vision-threatening

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retinopathy; and

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WHEREAS, North Central Sight Services provides support and

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services to approximately 7,000 Pennsylvanians afflicted with

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macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or other visual

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impairments; and

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WHEREAS, North Central Sight Services, Inc., diligently and

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successfully promotes persons who are blind and visually

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impaired to achieve self-reliance and autonomy through the

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various programs, services and employment opportunities offered

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to the residents of North Central Pennsylvania, including the

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inhabitants of Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Potter,

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Sullivan, Susquehanna and Tioga Counties; and

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WHEREAS, Living independently with a meaningful job is

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important to individuals experiencing vision impairment; and

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WHEREAS, North Central Sight Services, Inc., enjoys a storied

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history of fostering independence to persons who are blind and

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visually impaired; and

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WHEREAS, Previously the Lycoming County Association for the

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Blind manufactured rubber door mats from recycled tires, caned

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chairs and performed subcontract work for local businesses; and

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WHEREAS, North Central Sight Services, Inc., continues to

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provide employment opportunities to persons who are blind and

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visually impaired through shredding services, CD/DVD

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duplication, custom flash drive logos and subcontracting; and

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WHEREAS, The North Central Sight Services, Inc., excellent

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Prevention of Blindness Program delivers eye screenings, public

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education, referral services and low vision aids to many of

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Pennsylvania's children and adults; and

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WHEREAS, In 2010, North Central Sight Services, Inc.,

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distributed more than 4,400 public education brochures, offered

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more than 4,100 educational presentations and provided 6,600 eye

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health screenings; and

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WHEREAS, North Central Sight Services, Inc., has tirelessly

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supported and promoted the interests of individuals with

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blindness and visual impairments; therefore be it

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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor and

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celebrate the 55th anniversary of North Central Sight Services,

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Inc.; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to

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North Central Sight Services, Inc., 2121 Reach Road,

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Williamsport, PA 17701.

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