Press release
Delegate Lee Ware, who represents part of Fluvanna in the 65th District, was honored by Conexus with the Joseph Nichols Award in recognition of his ongoing efforts to remove poor vision as an obstacle to children’s success in school and in life.
Conexus, based in Richmond, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help every child reach their fullest potential by eliminating undetected and untreated vision problems as barriers to success in school and life.
“Delegate Ware has made a significant difference in the lives of children throughout the Commonwealth, addressing both a public health and public education issue,” said Tim Gresham, CEO of Conexus.
In addition to serving two terms on the Conexus Board of Directors, Ware has worked to update and modernize the state law dealing with public school-based vision screenings. This past year, Ware introduced a budget amendment to support a pilot program that provides for comprehensive vision programming in more than 30 school districts across Virginia, serving more than 55,000 children.
“This pilot program we are conducting right now includes delivery of high-tech vision screenings and includes comprehensive data collection, parental notification and follow up with eye care providers,” said Gresham. “Delegate Ware fought hard for this project and he spent nearly three decades in the classroom and clearly understands the impact poor vision can have on education.”
“I was honored to carry this legislation and pilot funding amendment for Conexus and am already impressed with the early results,” said Ware.
As part of the honor, Ware was presented with a portrait that will hang in Conexus’ Richmond-based headquarters.
