[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         AVIS DESERVES ACCLAIM

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, as the chief House cosponsor of the Americans 
with Disabilities Act, it is a particular pleasure to rise today to 
commend Avis Rent-A-Car for its outstanding efforts and unflagging 
commitment to make its car rental services widely available to 
Americans with disabilities. A recent example is an Avis initiative 
making available specially equipped ``Wheeler'' vans to provide new 
options for customers who use wheelchairs.
  Avis deserves special acclaim for quickly and amicably reaching a 
landmark agreement with the Department of Justice to provide to 
disabled renters a full range of vehicles equipped with hand controls 
and to take other steps to expand access of persons with disabilities 
to car rental services.
  The degree of cooperation between Avis and the Justice Department is 
an excellent example of how American business is, in the words of the 
Department, bringing down the barriers to travel that affect the way 
people with disabilities work and spend their leisure time. In fact, 
the Justice Department determined that Avis had implemented many of the 
procedures outlined in the settlement agreement long before the parties 
agreed on all the terms.
  Currently, the Justice Department is investigating allegations that a 
number of other car rental firms may have violated the Americans with 
Disabilities Act. I hope that these firms and the Justice Department 
will view the agreement with Avis as a model for future settlements and 
as an added stimulus to complete current negotiations. As the Avis 
agreement demonstrates, government and business can work together in a 
spirit of cooperation to achieve shared goals. When that happens, 
business and consumers are both winners, and the public interest is 
best served.
  I hope that other industries will follow the Avis example and work to 
ensure that the Americans with Disabilities is implemented in a 
reasonable and effective manner.

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