Jim Langevin: “Yesterday marked the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. When I was 16 years old, an accidental…”

“Yesterday marked the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. When I was 16 years old, an accidental gunshot left me permanently paralyzed. That was 1980, 10 years before the ADA was enacted into law. Then on July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law, and my life and the lives of millions of others were transformed. For 32 years, the ADA has broken down barriers and helped millions of people with disabilities to reach places in society that were previously unattainable. No longer do Americans with disabilities face legalized discrimination in places of public accommodation, employment, transportation, and so much more. In fact, without the ADA, I would not be here today proudly representing the Second Congressional District of Rhode Island as the first quadriplegic ever elected to Congress. Yet, our fight for universal accessibility and inclusion is far from over. Millions of Americans with disabilities are counting on this body to do what is right and continue the battle for accessibility and inclusion. I hope to be a partner in that fight for many years to come. ____________________”