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Washington Lt. Governor honored for work for people with disabilities

The American Foundation for the Blind recognized Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib for his work creating inclusive environments for people of all abilities.
Credit: American Foundation for the Blind
Washington Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib received the American Foundation for the Blind Helen Keller Achievement Award on February 27, 2019.

Washington Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib was honored Wednesday as the American Foundation for the Blind’s Helen Keller Achievement Award recipient.

“It is hard to quantify the impact Helen Keller had on me,” Habib said in a statement. “Helen Keller is a hero, not just to me, but to millions of people across multiple generations. Her name is synonymous with the word perseverance -- so to stand here today, recognized for perseverance by the AFB with an award in her name, is both humbling and inspiring.”

RELATED: Blindness not a disability for Lt. Governor

Habib was recognized for promoting an inclusive environment for people with disabilities and advocacy in public service and law, according to the foundation.

He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2016, becoming the youngest Democratic presiding officer in the country. Before being elected, Habib served as a state Representative and Senator for east King County.

Habib has been fully blind since he was 8 years old after losing his vision to cancer.

RELATED: Washington Lt. Governor skipped annual address over gun safety concerns

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