SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 446

WHEREAS, The system of writing called Braille is the lifeline for thousands of Texans who are blind or visually impaired and for millions of other people around the world, and this year marks the 200th birthday of the blind French youth who invented this amazing system; and

WHEREAS, Braille has enabled visually impaired students to achieve their maximum independence and academic excellence; even those who lose their vision later in life find Braille to be extremely helpful in their daily lives; and

WHEREAS, Eighty percent of employed Americans who are blind or visually impaired, including lawyers, teachers, legislators, computer programmers, civil servants, and physicians, are proficient in the use of Braille; and

WHEREAS, The importance of Braille in the education, employability, and independence of Texans is tremendous, and the Braille Revival League of Texas, an affiliate of the American Council of The Blind of Texas, plays an invaluable role in promoting the teaching, use, and dissemination of Braille as a tool of literacy for blind and visually impaired children and adults throughout the state; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the genius of Louis Braille on the bicentennial year of his birth and recognize the Braille Revival League of Texas for its work in fostering the use of Braille in our state; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared to commemorate the life and work of Louis Braille.

Van de Putte

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 19, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate