1Recognizing the month of October 2013 as "Blindness Awareness
2Month," and October 15, 2013, as "White Cane Safety Day" in
3Pennsylvania.

4WHEREAS, The freedom to move at will from place to place
5without barriers is one of our most basic human rights, and for
6people who are blind or visually impaired, the white cane helps
7to make such freedom of movement possible; and

8WHEREAS, The white cane demonstrates and symbolizes a blind
9or visually impaired person's ability to achieve a full and
10independent life and his or her capacity to work productively in
11competitive employment; and

12WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1910, the Pennsylvania
13Association for the Blind and its member agencies have
14tirelessly supported and promoted the interests of people who
15are blind or visually impaired and provided essential services
16to assist blind Pennsylvanians in achieving self-reliance and
17autonomy; and

1WHEREAS, This Commonwealth supports the vitally important
2work of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind as they
3enhance public awareness about ways to prevent and treat
4blindness and other serious vision impairments that are
5highlighted by these events during the month of October in each
6year; therefore be it

7RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the importance of the
8white cane and its positive impact on blind citizens of this
9Commonwealth and recognize October 15, 2013, as "White Cane
10Safety Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further

11RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the need to educate
12citizens about the prevention and treatment of blindness and
13recognize the month of October 2013 as "Blindness Awareness
14Month" in Pennsylvania.