Political Quotes

“Madam President, I thank my dear colleague for his kind remarks. I remember those days we spent on this floor, and the days before that, when we had to convince people throughout the Congress that this was the right thing to do; that civil rights for persons with disabilities were absolutely necessary if we were going to be a gracious and understanding country, setting an example for all the rest of the world. I remember when Senator Harkin and I, after the vote, walked out into the anteroom out there, and there were hundreds of persons with disabilities in their wheelchairs and crutches, with various forms of disability, and both of us stood there and broke down and cried--two tough guys. You know that Senator Harkin was a pilot and went through the war and has a tremendous reputation. I have been tough--too tough for some people around here--from time to time. But we both broke down and cried. And they cried. It was such a wonderful day, as far as I am concerned. I thank my dear colleague from Iowa for his leadership in this matter. He mentioned all of the others we both want to recognize today. I will not repeat those. I will incorporate that in my remarks today. This is a very special anniversary. Twenty years ago last week, we stood on the floor of the Senate and voted 91 to 6 to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. Twenty years ago next Monday, President George H.W. Bush signed it into law.…”