106 STAT. 2274 PUBLIC LAW 102-462—OCT. 23, 1992 Public Law 102-462 102d Congress Joint Resolution Oct. 23, 1992 [H.J. Res. 353] 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 hteracy 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 Bridlle whidi 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 Colimibia and each territory of the United States, and the chief executive of each political si:d)division of each State or territory
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