[Blindtlk] Congressman John Sarbanes to Speak at the National Federation of the Blind 2008 Celebration Commemorates Thirty Years in Baltimore

[David Andrews]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Public Relations Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, ext. 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org

Congressman John Sarbanes to Speak at the
National Federation of the Blind

2008 Celebration Commemorates Thirty Years in Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland (March 25, 2008): Congressman 
John Sarbanes (D-MD) will speak at the National 
Federation of the Blind (NFB) on Friday, April 4, at its
2008 Celebration.  The Celebration commemorates 
thirty years of building a brighter future for 
blind people in Baltimore and beyond.  The NFB moved its
headquarters to Baltimore in 1978 and established 
a world-class research and training facility that 
draws thousands of visitors each year.  The event will
begin at 6:00 p.m. at the headquarters of the 
National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson 
Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.  Over five hundred friends,
colleagues, and blind Americans are expected to attend.

“The National Federation of the Blind created the 
first-ever training and research institute for 
the blind led by the blind,” said Congressman John Sarbanes.
“The innovation of the NFB Jernigan Institute has 
had an extraordinary impact on countless blind 
people in Maryland and throughout the nation. I am honored
to be a part of this celebration and look forward 
to working with the NFB in its continued efforts 
to build opportunities for blind Americans.”

“We are pleased that Congressman Sarbanes will be 
joining us to celebrate thirty years in 
Baltimore,” said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation
of the Blind.  “With the support of friends like 
the Congressman, we will continue to work toward 
our goal of the full integration of the blind into society
on a basis of equality and in doing so improve 
the lives of blind people in Maryland and the rest of the United States.”

The Celebration will feature Gerry Sandusky from 
WBAL-TV 11 Sports as master of ceremonies, food 
from some of the finest restaurants in Baltimore, plus
silent and live auctions.  Live music will be 
provided by tribute band Beatlemagic
the ultimate 
beatles experience.  For more information about this exciting
event, please contact Jerry Lazarus at (410) 
659-9314, extension 2297, or by e-mail at
jlazarus at nfb.org
.  Tickets may be purchased online at
www.nfb.org
  or through Liz Makowske at (410) 659-9314, extension 2419, or by e-mail at
lmakowske at nfb.org.
###
About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National 
Federation of the Blind is the largest and most 
influential membership organization of blind people in the United
States.  The NFB improves blind people’s lives 
through advocacy, education, research, 
technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.
It is the leading force in the blindness field 
today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In 
January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and 
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.