Volume 106 · 2274
Public Law 102–462
Designating the week beginning January 3, 1993, as “Braille Literacy Week“.
Approved October 23, 1992
Statutory text
Joint Resolution
Designating the week beginning January 3, 1993, as “Braille Literacy Week“.
Whereas Braille, the system of dots used by the blind to read and write, is a truly elegant and effective medium of literacy;
Whereas blind and visually impaired individuals must be afforded the opportunity to achieve literacy so that they can compete in employment, succeed in education, and live independent, fruitful lives;
Whereas recording devices, reading machines such as the optacon, and computer-screen access programs have enabled blind individuals to gain access to a wide variety of printed material but cannot replace a medium such as Braille which allows a blind individual to read and write independently;
Whereas the teaching of Braille has been woefully neglected over the past several decades; and
Whereas many States have acted or are acting to ensure that blind and visually impaired school age students are taught Braille if it is judged the appropriate medium to provide such students with the opportunity to achieve literacy: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION AND PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION.
That the week beginning January 3, 1993, is designated as
Louis Braille.
“Braille Literacy Week”. The President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including educational activities to celebrate the contributions of the inventor of Braille, Louis Braille, who was born on January 4, 1809, and to heighten public awareness of both the importance of Braille literacy among children and adults who are blind and the great need for the production of the wide variety of commonly available print documents in Braille.
SEC. 2. STATE AND LOCAL PROCLAMATIONS.
The Governor of each State, the chief executive of the District of Columbia and each territory of the United States, and the chief executive of each political subdivision of each State or territory is urged to issue a proclamation (or other appropriate official statement) calling upon the people of such State, the District of Columbia, or such territory or political subdivision to observe the week beginning January 3, 1993, in the manner described in section 1.
Approved October 23, 1992.