Whereas, Melanie Brunson has offered hard work and faithful service to the women and men of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) for seventeen years; and
Whereas, a lawyer by training, Melanie joined the ACB national office staff in 1998 as ACB’s Director of Advocacy Services; and
Whereas, Melanie ultimately assumed both the advocacy services and public policy responsibilities of the national office staff, serving as ACB’s Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs until her eventual appointment as ACB Executive Director in 2004; and
Whereas, throughout her tenure, Melanie has been a fierce champion of the rights and capabilities of people who are blind or visually impaired; and
Whereas, among her many accomplishments, Melanie most recently played a key role on ACB’s behalf in the negotiations leading to the signing of the historic Marrakesh treaty to eliminate the worldwide book famine for people who are blind or visually impaired around the globe; and
Whereas, Melanie particularly excels in her one-on-one work with individual ACB members experiencing a challenging rights or benefits issue; and
Whereas, Melanie has announced her intention to retire this fall;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the eighth day of July, 2015, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, Dallas, Texas, that this organization express its sincere gratitude to Melanie Brunson for her many years of hard work and commitment to the membership of ACB, and we, the women and men of the American Council of the Blind, wish Melanie every happiness and much fulfillment in her retirement.
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary