RICHMOND -- House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, appointed Del. R. Steven Landes, R-Weyers Cave, to the Advisory Commission on the Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. Landes had previously been appointed to the Commission and served from July 1997 to June 1999.

     “I look forward to again serving on the Advisory Commission on the Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, and very much appreciate the Speaker’s appointment,” Landes said. “VSDB is important not only to our region but to many students which it serves from across the Commonwealth.”

     The Advisory Commission consists of twelve members: eight members are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates including five from the membership of the House; four members are appointed by the Senate Rules Committee including three from the membership of the Senate. The citizen members are former students or parents of students that have attended one of the schools.

     The purpose of the Commission is to monitor operations of the schools, advise the Board of Education and submit recommendations that seek to ensure the maintenance of a high quality and cost effective program of study and a safe and nurturing residential environment at the schools.

     Landes represents the 25th House District, which includes the City of Waynesboro, and portions of Albemarle, Augusta and Rockingham Counties. He was first elected in 1995 and is currently serving his seventh term in the House.