Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1504, recognizing and honoring the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Heralded at its signing in 1990 as an ``emancipation proclamation for people with disabilities,'' the goals of the ADA are lofty and embody core principles that have made this nation great--equality of opportunity, independence, and integration. Through broad non-discrimination directives aimed at employers, government entities, and places of public accommodation--and requirements of reasonable accommodation and modification that are designed to dismantle architectural and societal barriers--the ADA has transformed our world. Some of those changes are visible--lifts on buses, elevators in subway stations, power-assisted and wider doors, designated parking spots, curb cuts, and closed-captioning. Others are not so visible, but are powerfully important nonetheless. These less-visible changes--the slow breakdown of disabling stereotypes, myths, prejudice, and stigma--are also happening because of the increased access and opportunity made possible by the ADA. As we witness and benefit from the contributions of family members, colleagues, and neighbors with disabilities, outdated and misguided beliefs are challenged and changed. While we still have a long way to go, our passage of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 is yet another mark of our progress on this front.…”