[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 628 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 628

  Expressing support for the designation of Disability Pride Day and 
recognizing that all people, including people living with disabilities, 
have the right, responsibility, and ability to be active, contributing 
 members of society and fully engaged as citizens of the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 25, 2008

 Mr. Durbin (for Mr. Obama (for himself and Mr. Durbin)) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the designation of Disability Pride Day and 
recognizing that all people, including people living with disabilities, 
have the right, responsibility, and ability to be active, contributing 
 members of society and fully engaged as citizens of the United States.

Whereas all people, including people with disabilities, should be guaranteed the 
        right to receive a quality education, to be productive members of the 
        workforce, to raise families, to exert control and choice over their own 
        lives, and to have equal opportunity to access and participate in all 
        facets of life;
Whereas having a disability should be seen as a natural part of human diversity;
Whereas many people with disabilities share a cultural experience and history;
Whereas 18 years ago, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 
        U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) was signed into law, ending discrimination against 
        and providing equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in 
        employment, education, government services, public accommodations, 
        commercial facilities, and transportation;
Whereas in spite of the recent efforts to restore the intent of the Americans 
        with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities continue to face 
        tremendous challenges in society that test their resolve sociologically, 
        emotionally, and psychologically, and face negative cultural assumptions 
        based on fears and myths that need to be eliminated and replaced with 
        presumptions of competence, strength, and individual worth;
Whereas July 26, 2008, is a day of celebrations across the United States that 
        seek to educate and change the way that people think about and define 
        people with disabilities by promoting the belief that disability is a 
        natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living 
        with disabilities can take pride; and
Whereas July 26, 2008, would be an appropriate day to designate as Disability 
        Pride Day: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Disability Pride Day;
            (2) invites the citizens of the United States to join in 
        celebrating the pride, the power, and the potential of people 
        with disabilities by celebrating Disability Pride Day; and
            (3) urges public officials and the general public to honor 
        Americans with disabilities by becoming educated on ways to 
        support and encourage understanding of persons with 
        disabilities in the schools, diverse workforce, and communities 
        of the United States.
                                 <all>