HONOR TO BE PRESENTED AT THE NFB'S ANNUAL CONVENTION IN OLRANDO ON FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2011

Washington, Jul 7 - Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth) is being honored by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) with its "Outstanding Legislative Service" Award for his work on behalf of the blind. The award will be presented during NFB's annual national convention banquet in Orlando on July 8, 2011. Among Stearns accomplishments on behalf of the blind is enactment of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act. This is bi-partisan legislation that Stearns developed to protect the blind and other pedestrians from "quiet" hybrid and electric vehicles that produce little noise since the blind and others depend on audio cues to detect traffic. The measure requires a study on alerting the blind and other pedestrians of oncoming vehicles.

"These quiet vehicles can pose a threat to the blind, seniors, children, and joggers and cyclists, and I appreciate the help of the NFB is developing this legislation," said Stearns. "We must take every step to ensure that the blind are fully integrated in our society, and the NFB is an outstanding advocate for the blind and I am deeply honored to receive this award."