IA 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. J. RES. 80 
Recognizing and honoring the Blinded Veterans Association on its 65th 
anniversary of representing blinded veterans and their families. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 4, 2010 
Mrs. HALVORSON (for herself, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Ms. NORTON, 
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. MOORE of Kansas, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. 
COURTNEY, Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut, Mr. GRIJALVA, and Mr. WALZ) 
introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
Recognizing and honoring the Blinded Veterans Association 
on its 65th anniversary of representing blinded veterans 
and their families. 
Whereas, at 8:45 a.m. on March 28, 1945, 100 blinded mem-
bers of the Armed Forces who served in World War II 
formed the Blinded Veterans Association at Avon ‘‘Old 
Farms’’ Army Convalescent Hospital in Connecticut; 
Whereas the founders of the Blinded Veterans Association 
were a cross-section of heroes and pioneers who not only 
shaped the rich history, philosophy, and knowledge of 
education and rehabilitation of the blind, but also pro-
vided insight into current and future challenges facing 
the blind and engaged in continual advocacy efforts to 
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•HJ 80 IH 
ensure that services for all blinded persons would be 
unique and specialized; 
Whereas, on March 28, 2010, the Blinded Veterans Associa-
tion will mark its 65th anniversary of dedication to blind-
ed members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their 
families; 
Whereas in 1946, General Omar Bradley, of the Veterans 
Administration, appointed the Blinded Veterans Associa-
tion as the first official representative for blinded vet-
erans for the filing of claims and appeals to the Veterans 
Administration, making the Blinded Veterans Association 
only the eighth veterans service organization to receive 
such authorization; 
Whereas the Blinded Veterans Association was originally in-
corporated in New York State as a nonprofit association, 
and then moved to Washington, DC, in 1947; 
Whereas in 1958, the 58th Congress approved the Congres-
sional Charter for the Blinded Veterans Association; 
Whereas from its early beginnings, the Blinded Veterans As-
sociation encouraged the blinded veterans it served ‘‘to 
take their rightful place in the community with their fel-
low men and work with them toward the creation of a 
peaceful world’’, and it has continued to advocate for the 
war-blinded to regain independence, confidence, and self- 
esteem through rehabilitation and training; and 
Whereas many people of the United States recognize March 
28 of each year as Blinded Veterans Day: Now, there-
fore, be it 
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Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
That Congress— 
(1) expresses appreciation for the efforts of the 
Blinded Veterans Association in improving the reha-
bilitation services, education, and benefits for blind-
ed veterans of the United States; 
(2) supports the goals and ideals of Blinded 
Veterans Day; and 
(3) calls upon the people of the United States 
to observe Blinded Veterans Day with appropriate 
programs and activities. 
Æ 
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