Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I am pleased to be here today to speak about the passage of a bill that is a top priority for the disability community--Rosa's Law. As always, I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with Senator Mikulski on this bill. I would like to thank her for her leadership and her commitment to this issue. The bill is simple in nature but profound in what it will do when it is enacted. Rosa's Law will change the phrase ``mentally retarded'' to ``an individual with an intellectual disability'' in all of the laws that fall under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, HELP, without negatively impinging or expanding upon the rights, services, benefits, or educational opportunities that people with this diagnosis are entitled to. It will make a greatly needed change that should have been made well before today. Some people will ask why this bill is so important and why it is needed. They will wonder if Congress has more important work to do than to change a few words in our laws for the sake of being politically correct. In response, I would share what Rosa's brother Nick said to the Maryland General Assembly. ``What you call people is how you treat them. What you call my sister is how you will treat her. If you believe she's `retarded' it invites taunting, stigma.…”