Tom Harkin: “I am joining, today, with the senior Senator from Pennsylvania, Senator Specter, in introducing the ADA Restoration Act…”

“I am joining, today, with the senior Senator from Pennsylvania, Senator Specter, in introducing the ADA Restoration Act of 2007. Today, July 26, marks the 17th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, one of the landmark civil rights laws of the 20th century, and a long-overdue emancipation proclamation for the 50 million Americans with disabilities. As chief sponsor of the ADA in the Senate, I take pride in the progress we have made as a Nation since 1990. We have removed most physical barriers to movement and access for the 50 million Americans with disabilities. We have required employers to provide reasonable accommodations so that people with disabilities can have equal opportunity in the workplace. We have advanced the 4 goals of the ADA, equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. So today is a day, first and foremost, to celebrate all that has been accomplished over the last 17 years. But despite that progress, there is a problem. In recent years, the courts have ignored Congress's clear intent as to who should be protected under the ADA.”