Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 3195, the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act. In the early 1980's, 64 disability organizations formed a coalition known as INVEST, Insure Virginians Equal Status Today, to pass a State statute in Virginia to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination. The landmark ``Virginians with Disabilities Act'' was the Commonwealth's commitment to encourage persons with disabilities to participate fully in the social and economic life of the Commonwealth. It preceded the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, by 5 years, and many of the key concepts in the Virginia statute formed the basis of the ADA. Signed in 1985 by former Governor Charles S. Robb, the Virginians with Disabilities Act today protects nearly one million State residents. This Act acknowledged that ``it is the policy of the Commonwealth to encourage and enable persons with disabilities to participate fully and equally in the social and economic life . . . '' and it protects Virginians with disabilities from discrimination in employment, education, housing, voting, and places of public accommodation.”