[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 106 (Thursday, July 18, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               20TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHERRY VERSUS MATHEWS

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 1996

  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, July 19 is the 20th anniversary of the U.S. 
District Court decision known as Cherry versus Mathews, the historic 
ruling that opened the door to full and equal citizenship for disabled 
citizens.
  The plaintiff, Dr. James L. Cherry, is a Georgian. His landmark suit 
led to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare's regulation 
under section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act assuring disabled 
citizens reasonable access to public programs and facilities. This 
regulation became the model for the Americans with Disability Act, 
which expanded protection from discrimination to all persons with 
disabilities. It was also Dr. Cherry who first proposed Georgia's 
voting accessibility law, on which a similar Federal statute is 
patterned.
  Twenty years ago, many disabled citizens could not use public 
transportation; or go to most schools and colleges; or have access to 
many Government parks and buildings and other services; or even have 
access to voting booths.
  This changed following the decision by Judge John Lewis Smith. It 
changed almost overnight. Suddenly, the country's promise of equal 
opportunity became a reality for millions of disabled Americans. It was 
one of the great moments in America's march toward justice and 
opportunity for all.
  As we observe the 20th anniversary of Cherry versus Mathews, I urge 
all Americans to rededicate themselves to the principle of equality of 
opportunity which is one of the cornerstones of the country's 
greatness.

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