Orrin Hatch: “I rise, in support of S. Res. 207, the Americans with Disabilities Act resolution commemorating the 15th anniversary of…”

“I rise, in support of S. Res. 207, the Americans with Disabilities Act resolution commemorating the 15th anniversary of the signing of the law. As one of the original authors of the Americans with Disabilities, ADA, I am a proud cosponsor of this important resolution. I am pleased that the Senate took the time today to remember the passage of landmark legislation which changed the lives of disabled individuals across the country. I am also pleased to stand with my colleague, Senator Harkin, who did so much to advance this legislation in 1990, and indeed, to nurture its implementation ever since. When this legislation was being debated on the Senate floor back in 1990, I told my colleagues that I believed that the Americans with Disabilities Act would be good for all America. And 15 years later, I feel the same way. The Americans with Disabilities Act has done so much for the disabled community throughout our country--due to this law, the lives of disabled individuals have improved dramatically. When Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, we knew that this bill would make a difference. As a result of the passage of this bill, valuable resources were dedicated to improving the lives of the disabled through employment, in public accommodations, in transportation, and in communications services. I credit the passage of this legislation to the millions of disabled Americans, all of whom benefit from the ADA.…”