On the recordNovember 27, 2012
the chairman of our committee, the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts, has expressed the case well and strongly. Let me say in simplicity that as we enjoyed hearing of the rights of persons with disabilities, we have learned that essentially the United States has an opportunity for leadership for an expression of our idealism with regard to the care and treatment and concern for disabled persons in our country and the world. If we ratify this treaty, we will join with other nations who meet annually and will receive every 4 years reports from the various countries that are involved as to the progress they have made. They compare notes. They learn really how the disabled are treated. Our belief is that we are the gold standard and that there are many countries that would like to know technically how people are treated in the United States and what sort of investment would be required in those countries. Having said that, we should also say, very frankly, that the committee or this governing aspect has no ability whatsoever to create law--either State, local, or Federal--in the United States of America or to compel Americans to do anything, literally. So we have an opportunity to be advocates of our idealism, and we have an opportunity to listen to others and perhaps to gain new insight in this body about how, along with our fellows in the House, to proceed. I think that is very important.…
