#United States #Washington, D.C. #Eye Health #Prevent Blindness #Congressional Vision Caucus

Congressional Visionary Award Presented to Gus Bilirakis and Marc Veasey

On July 15, 2026, Prevent Blindness, a prominent organization focused on protecting eye health, celebrated the dedication of congressional leaders by honoring U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Marc Veasey (D-TX). They received the prestigious "Congressional Visionary Award" for their steadfast commitment to advancing vision-related programs and safeguarding eye health policies across the nation.

As co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Vision Caucus (CVC), Bilirakis and Veasey have been instrumental in initiating a nationwide discourse regarding vision issues and advocating for necessary policy changes. The coalition of congressional members works diligently to address various policies related to vision impairments, making it a vital platform for change. Prevent Blindness has been a key player in the formation of this caucus and continues to collaborate with its members to bolster vision care initiatives.

The award ceremony took place at the CVC Reception hosted by Prevent Blindness at the U.S. Capitol on June 9 in Washington, D.C. Jeff Todd, the president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, emphasized the significant impact that Bilirakis and Veasey have had on raising awareness and promoting essential funding for eye care services while ensuring equitable access to quality eye care for all citizens.

Both representatives have made notable contributions beyond their leadership roles. They were crucial in the creation and introduction of the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act (EDVI, H.R. 2527), a groundbreaking piece of legislation designed to provide grants for states and communities to enhance care systems that guarantee early detection of vision issues in children. This initiative ensures that every child in the United States, regardless of background, has the opportunity to receive timely vision assessments, care coordination, and referrals to vision rehabilitation services if necessary.

Rep. Bilirakis articulated the significance of this endeavor, stating, "Children are the present and the future of our great nation, and we all want the best for them. I am proud to lead the Congressional Vision Caucus and advocate for legislation that allows every child with potential vision problems access to the care they need to succeed in school and life."

The EDVI Act was initially introduced by Bilirakis and Veasey in May 2024, and following its reintroduction in March 2025, it has garnered endorsements from Prevent Blindness and over 115 other organizations across the United States. They are now advocating for similar legislation to be introduced in the U.S. Senate.

Past recipients of the Prevent Blindness Congressional Visionary Award have included former CVC Co-Chairs, indicating a tradition of recognizing dedicated advocates in eye health. The history of the award serves as a testament to the ongoing need for leadership in promoting vision care and addressing related challenges across the U.S.

For more information about the Congressional Vision Caucus, the EDVI Act, and the advocacy efforts of Prevent Blindness, you can visit PreventBlindness.org/advocacy or reach out via email at [email protected].

About Prevent Blindness
Prevent Blindness is the leading organization focused on patient advocacy in eye health, striving to prevent blindness and maintain sight. The organization raises public awareness about the importance of eye care and its correlation with overall health, lobbies for effective eye health legislation, provides professional education, and empowers individuals dealing with vision loss. Through contributions from affiliates, volunteers, and the public, Prevent Blindness offers extensive resources on various eye diseases that significantly influence vision and quality of life. Visit PreventBlindness.org to learn more and follow them on popular social media platforms.