III 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 628 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

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.