Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the passing of disability rights pioneer and my longtime friend, Ms. Evelyne Villines. Ever since I first met Evelyne during my early years in the Iowa House of Representatives, I knew her to be a fierce advocate on behalf of those with disabilities. She had an outstanding work ethic and never stopped campaigning for those with disabilities to be recognized for their abilities and not by what others saw as their limitations. Thanks to people like Evelyne, our society has made a lot of progress in this area. Evelyne's tireless work earned her recognition on both the State and national levels as an inductee into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame and the national Hall of Fame for Persons with Disabilities. Evelyne's efforts were recognized as paving the way for passage for the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. She served on numerous commissions and joined the board of SourceAmerica in its infancy, leading the company to become one of the largest employers of people with disabilities in the Nation. Evelyne's advocacy and resulting accomplishments have opened the doors of opportunity for people with disabilities. I am honored to stand before you in recognizing Evelyne for her lifelong commitment to service. Evelyne's legacy will live on for years to come through the countless individuals who will continue to benefit from her life's work. ____________________”