Tom Harkin: “last Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of Senator Bob Dole's retirement from the Senate. Bob Dole served the people of…”

“last Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of Senator Bob Dole's retirement from the Senate. Bob Dole served the people of Kansas and the people of the United States of America as a Member of Congress for more than three and a half decades. He was outspoken on many issues, but, above all, I will always admire his tireless, passionate advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. The first speech that Bob Dole ever made on the floor of the Senate-- on April 14, 1969--was about the challenges faced by Americans with disabilities. That date was the 24th anniversary of the day he was gravely wounded in World War II. In fact, every year that he was in the Senate, on or about April 14, Bob Dole made a statement on the floor about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. But Bob Dole did much more than just talk about expanding access and opportunity for people with disabilities. He was an outstanding leader in bringing about change for the good. Most importantly, I will always be grateful for Senator Bob Dole's leadership in helping to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Both he and I remember the day that it was signed into law as one of the proudest in our entire legislative careers. It is hard to believe, but it has been nearly 16 years since we passed the Americans with Disabilities Act. Just as many predicted, ADA has taken its place among the great civil rights laws in our Nation's history.…”