1Designating the month of October 2013 as "Meet the Blind Month"
2in Pennsylvania; and recognizing October 15, 2013, as "White
3Cane Safety Day" in Pennsylvania.

4WHEREAS, The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) was
5founded in 1940 to end discrimination against people who are
6blind and to secure first-class citizenship for all blind
7persons; and

8WHEREAS, Today the NFB represents more than 50,000 members
9across this nation and continues to work to secure equal rights
10and opportunities for all individuals who are blind and visually
11impaired; and

12WHEREAS, The NFB and other organizations work to change
13attitudes about blindness by providing information to parents,
14teachers, school administrators and to business, government,
15social and civic leaders; and

1WHEREAS, Since blindness is still frequently misunderstood, a
2public education campaign, "Meet the Blind Month," was developed
3to create opportunities for people to learn firsthand that
4individuals who are blind and visually impaired are like
5everyone else; and

6WHEREAS, The white cane symbolizes the ability of every blind
7or visually impaired citizen of this Commonwealth to achieve a
8full and independent life; and

9WHEREAS, The white cane allows every blind or visually
10impaired person to move freely and safely from place to place
11and without it such travel would be difficult and dangerous; and

12WHEREAS, The white cane serves as a tangible reminder that
13those who are blind or visually impaired are self-sufficient,
14mobile and capable of participating in the life of their
15communities and contributing to the success of our society; and

16WHEREAS, In the first white cane proclamation issued in 1964,
17President Lyndon B. Johnson commended blind and visually
18impaired individuals for their growing spirit of independence
19and their increased determination to be self-reliant and
20dignified; and

21WHEREAS, President Johnson also said that in our society the
22white cane has become a unique symbol of a blind or visually
23impaired person's ability to come and go independently and its
24use has promoted courtesy and opportunity for mobility of people
25who are blind on our streets and highways; and

26WHEREAS, The white cane reminds us that when approaching a
27blind or visually impaired person, we should always exercise
28appropriate caution, especially if operating an automobile;
29therefore be it

30RESOLVED, That the National Federation of the Blind (NFB),

1the Lions Club International and other organizations promote
2events such as "Meet the Blind Month" for October and the
3National and International "White Cane Safety Day" on October 15
4to promote understanding of blindness and to learn more about
5those who are blind and visually impaired and the efforts they
6make to lead full and active lives; and be it further

7RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
8month of October 2013 as "Meet the Blind Month" in Pennsylvania,
9and October 15, 2013, as "White Cane Safety Day" in
10Pennsylvania, urge residents and communities in this
11Commonwealth to participate in organized events and thank the
12NFB, the Lions Club International and other organizations
13involved in the observances for their efforts to promote
14understanding of issues involving blindness and the people in
15this Commonwealth who are blind and visually impaired and their
16efforts to achieve their aspirations, hopes and full abilities
17in society.