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National Convention Banquet Speeches

1987-Present | 1968-1986 | 1940-1967 | Other Convention Speeches
Background | Formats Available Online | Additional Information

Background

At the National Federation of the Blind's annual convention approximately 3,000 delegates come together each year to discuss important blindness-related issues, share information, celebrate our progress, and set policy for the coming years.  Without a doubt, every year the highlight of this largest gathering of blind people is the banquet address. 

The majority of our banquet speeches have been delivered by our three greatest leaders (Jacobus tenBroek, Kenneth Jernigan, and Marc Maurer).  Traditionally, the presiding president offers this monumental address, although there have been a few exceptions to this custom (consider 1963, 1990, and 1997).  

Occasionally, one of our esteemed leaders offers an address during the convention but not as the keynote banquet speech (consider Kenneth Jernigan's 1993 address entitled "The Nature of Independence").  Since these speeches have such great import, and are often mistaken as banquet speeches, we have included them on this page (see Other Convention Speeches).

Formats Available Online

At this time, most speeches are available as text and audio files.  In addition, some speeches are available as videos.

1987-Present

Ever since his election in 1986, Marc Maurer's Presidency has been laced with power, independence, maturity, joy, and love--in short, with great leadership.  To experience the brilliant reflection of these core themes, simply read but one of his many profound banquet speeches.President Marc Maurer (1986-Present) delivering the banquet speech.

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1968-1986

As Marc Maurer stated in 1986, Kenneth Jernigan "combined hard decision-making with great compassion.  Dr. Jernigan's Presidency [was] characterized by imagination, enthusiasm, love for others, and the drive for success.  And there [were] other things: We never lose because we never quit."  Dr. Jernigan's speeches exude these powerful sentiments.  Read one speech and you cannot help but find yourself swept up in the raging current of the organized blind movement.  Past President Kenneth Jernigan (1968-1986) delivering the banquet speech.

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1940-1967

Let me offer an ancient and wise proverb: "If you give a person a fish, you can feed him or her for a day.  If you teach that same person how to fish, you can feed him or her for a lifetime."
    No individual in the history of the National Federation of the Blind has taught more blind people how to fish, worked harder, loved more, or given more generously of time, talent, energy, or resources than Dr. Jacobus tenBroek.
    --Marc Maurer, July 3, 1986, at the banquet of the national convention (Kansas City, Missouri)Jacobus tenBroek--black and white portrait.

Jacobus tenBroek, our founding President, began the time-honored tradition of great orators in the Federation.  His speeches paved the way for so many that have followed--followed not only in time, but in spirit, in heart, and in strength. 

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Other Convention Speeches

Additional Information

If you would like to order any of these items, please contact the Independence Market for availability. You may contact us by e-mail at IndependenceMarket@nfb.org or by phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2216. For additional information, please refer to our Independence Market Literature Order Procedure.

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