[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 122 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                      November 8, 1997.
Whereas currency is used by virtually everyone in everyday life, including blind 
        and visually impaired persons;
Whereas the Federal reserve notes of the United States are inaccessible to 
        individuals with visual disabilities;
Whereas the Americans with Disabilities Act enhances the economic independence 
        and equal opportunity for full participation in society for individuals 
        with disabilities;
Whereas most blind and visually impaired persons are therefore required to rely 
        upon others to determine denominations of such currency;
Whereas this constitutes a serious impediment to independence in everyday 
        living;
Whereas electronic means of bill identification will always be more fallible 
        than purely tactile means;
Whereas tactile currency already exists in 23 countries worldwide; and
Whereas the currency of the United States is presently undergoing significant 
        changes for security purposes: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) endorses the efforts recently begun by the Bureau of Engraving 
        and Printing to upgrade the currency for security reasons; and
            (2) strongly encourages the Secretary of the Treasury and the Bureau 
        of Engraving and Printing to incorporate cost-effective, tactile 
        features into the design changes, thereby including the blind and 
        visually impaired community in independent currency usage.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.