by Sharon Lovering
Kentucky Honors ACB and Paul Edwards
A highlight at each ACB national convention is the presentation of awards to members and citizens who foster the principles which guide the American Council of the Blind. At the Louisville convention, the list of citizens, members, and organizations who were honored by prestigious awards included ACB President Paul Edwards — known henceforth as “Colonel Edwards” — and the American Council of the Blind itself.
On Sunday evening, Russ Maple, “A” District Commissioner for Jefferson County, Kentucky, welcomed all ACB members to Louisville, and honored the American Council of the Blind with a proclamation: “...whereas the American Council of the Blind is a national membership organization formed by blind people to promote the independence, dignity and advancement of blind and visually impaired individuals; and whereas the Jefferson County commissioners welcome this convention to Jefferson County and would like to commend its members for continuing to strive to increase the equality of opportunity and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people, therefore be it hereby known that the Jefferson County commissioners on behalf of the Jefferson County community recognize and encourage the efforts of the American Council of the Blind and hereby present to them...this Community Excellence Award.”
Maple followed this presentation with another to ACB President Paul Edwards, who, on behalf of Kentucky’s Governor Patton and the Secretary of State of Kentucky, was honored by being commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel. “The highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Maple said, “is that of Kentucky Colonel. Our colonels are Kentucky’s ambassadors of good will and fellowship around the world. Commissions as Kentucky Colonels are presented for contributions to the community, state or nation, and for special achievements of all kinds. With your commission ... the governor recognizes your service and accomplishments on behalf of others.”
Edwards joins a long list of distinguished citizens so honored, including Lyndon Johnson, Winston Churchill, John Glenn, Carol Channing, Ann Margaret, Muhammad Ali, Jeff Foxworthy and Whoopi Goldberg.