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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> leadership-bounces@acb.org
[mailto:leadership-bounces@acb.org] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf
Of </span></b>Eric Bridges<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, December 03, 2009
11:29 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> leadership@acb.org;
announce@acb.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [leadership]
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>THE WHITE HOUSE<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Office of the Press Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>For Immediate Release<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>December 2, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES, 2009 <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</st1:country-region></st1:place>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>A PROCLAMATION <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>This year, in an effort to renew our
global commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms for persons with
disabilities, the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United
States</st1:place></st1:country-region> became a proud signatory of the
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This
treaty represents a paradigm shift, urging equal protection and benefits for
all citizens, and reaffirming the inherent dignity and independence of the 650
million people living with disabilities worldwide. Today, as we commemorate the
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate the skills,
achievements, and contributions of persons with disabilities in <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> and
around the world. We recognize the progress we have made toward equality for
all, and we rededicate ourselves to ensuring individuals with disabilities can
reach their greatest potential. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Despite our increased efforts,
persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to their full participation
in society. In the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United
States</st1:place></st1:country-region>, Americans with disabilities still
experience discrimination in the workplace and in their communities. In
developing nations, 90 percent of children with disabilities do not attend
school, and women and girls with disabilities are all too often subjected to
deep discrimination. If we are to move forward as a people, both at home and
abroad, all individuals must be fully integrated into our human family. The
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a time to renew our
commitment to the principles of empowerment, dignity, and equality. The <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>
has co-sponsored and joined consensus on the United Nations General Assembly
Third Committee's resolution titled, "Realizing the Millennium Development
Goals for Persons with Disabilities." We must continue to embrace
diversity and reject discrimination in all its forms, and insist on equality of
opportunity and accessibility for all. Let our efforts remind us that when we
work together, we can build a world free of unnecessary barriers and include
every member of our international community. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK
OBAMA, President of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States of America</st1:country-region>,
by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
more do hereby proclaim December 3, 2009, as International Day of Persons with
Disabilities. I call on all Americans to observe this day with appropriate
ceremonies, activities, and programs. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand this second day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand
nine, and of the <st1:City w:st="on">Independence</st1:City> of the United
States of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>
the two hundred and thirty-fourth. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>BARACK OBAMA <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Eric Bridges</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>American Council of the Blind</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Arlington</span></font></st1:City><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, <st1:State
w:st="on">VA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">22201</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Phone: (202) 467-5081</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Fax: (703) 465-5085</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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