SJ350: Commending the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living 10th anniversary.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 350
Commending the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, January 22, 2009
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 30, 2009
 

WHEREAS, the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living is celebrating its 10th anniversary of advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities and of outstanding service to the citizens of the greater Lynchburg area and the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the United States of America prides itself on advancing and guaranteeing justice for all; and central to our democratic form of government are the precepts of equality and individual dignity, the value of self-reliance, and the basic rights of all citizens to live full, independent, and productive lives; and

WHEREAS, in keeping with that tradition, the Commonwealth of Virginia enacted the Virginians with Disabilities Act in 1985 in recognition of the tremendous potential of individuals with disabilities and sought to encourage all persons to work toward full integration and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the community—this landmark legislation was the forerunner of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth first noted the existence of Centers for Independent Living in state law in 1985 to further advance the inclusion of its citizens with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Virginia led the nation in 2002, issuing the first apology in the nation to people with disabilities for the state’s egregious legacy of eugenics; such effort to obtain this act of contrition originally heralded from Lynchburg on behalf of persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, one in five citizens has some type of disability, making people with disabilities the nation’s largest minority; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth needs to harness the potential of all of its citizens so that our economy can continue to grow and our labor force can meet challenges on the horizon; and

WHEREAS, disability is a natural part of the human experience and disability in no way should limit a person’s ability to make choices, pursue meaningful careers, and participate fully in all aspects of life; and

WHEREAS, all of us have benefited from the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, attitudinal barriers can hinder people with disabilities from realizing their full potential; and

WHEREAS, the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living supports and facilitates empowerment through education, advocacy, information and referral, peer counseling, and public awareness, which are the most powerful tools for increasing understanding and achieving full integration and inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of life in the community; and

WHEREAS, over the years, associates of the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living have strived to ensure empowerment of people with disabilities through various activities related to diverse matters of social justice; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living on the occasion of its 10th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living for its outstanding service to the greater Lynchburg area and the Commonwealth.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 350
Offered January 14, 2009
Prefiled January 14, 2009
Commending the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.
Patron-- Newman

WHEREAS, the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living is celebrating its 10th anniversary of advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities and of outstanding service to the citizens of the greater Lynchburg area and the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the United States of America prides itself on advancing and guaranteeing justice for all; and central to our democratic form of government are the precepts of equality and individual dignity, the value of self-reliance, and the basic rights of all citizens to live full, independent, and productive lives; and

WHEREAS, in keeping with that tradition, the Commonwealth of Virginia enacted the Virginians with Disabilities Act in 1985 in recognition of the tremendous potential of individuals with disabilities and sought to encourage all persons to work toward full integration and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the communitythis landmark legislation was the forerunner of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth first noted the existence of Centers for Independent Living in state law in 1985 to further advance the inclusion of its citizens with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Virginia led the nation in 2002, issuing the first apology in the nation to people with disabilities for the states egregious legacy of eugenics; such effort to obtain this act of contrition originally heralded from Lynchburg on behalf of persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, one in five citizens have some type of disability, making people with disabilities the nations largest minority; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth needs to harness the potential of all of its citizens so that our economy can continue to grow and our labor force can meet challenges on the horizon; and

WHEREAS, disability is a natural part of the human experience and disability in no way should limit a persons ability to make choices, pursue meaningful careers, and participate fully in all aspects of life; and

WHEREAS, all of us have benefited from the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, attitudinal barriers can hinder people with disabilities from realizing their full potential; and

WHEREAS, the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living supports and facilitates empowerment through education, advocacy, information and referral, peer counseling, and public awareness, which are the most powerful tools for increasing understanding and achieving full integration and inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of life in the community; and

WHEREAS, over the years, associates of the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living have strived to ensure empowerment of people with disabilities through various activities related to diverse matters of social justice; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living on the occasion of its 10th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living for its outstanding service to the greater Lynchburg area and the Commonwealth.