THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY SIPTROTH, ADOLPH, BARRAR, BELFANTI, BEYER, BISHOP, BOYD, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, DELOZIER, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EVERETT, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HARHAI, HARHART, HARKINS, HELM, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, HUTCHINSON, JOHNSON, KOTIK, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARSHALL, MARSICO, McCALL, McGEEHAN, McILVAINE SMITH, MELIO, MENSCH, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MOUL, MURT, MYERS, M. O'BRIEN, PALLONE, PARKER, PAYNE, PICKETT, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROCK, ROHRER, ROSS, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, K. SMITH, SOLOBAY, SONNEY, SWANGER, TRUE, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATERS, WATSON, WHITE AND YOUNGBLOOD, JUNE 25, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JUNE 25, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing October 15, 2009, as "White Cane Safety Day" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, The white cane symbolizes the ability of every blind

or visually impaired citizen 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

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize October

15, 2009, as "White Cane Safety Day" in Pennsylvania.