[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9632-S9633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SALUTE TO NATIONAL REHABILITATION WEEK

 Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise today to salute the founding 
and success of National Rehabilitation Week which celebrates the 
accomplishments of people with disabilities and focuses on continuing 
efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities. This year 
marks the 20th anniversary of National Rehabilitation Week, and as we 
celebrate this week, it is important that we take time to applaud the 
individuals who live, work, and succeed with these disabilities 
everyday. National Rehabilitation Week serves as a reminder that it is 
our responsibility, as legislators, to insure that those individuals 
with disabilities are able to enjoy the same freedoms and privileges as 
all Americans.
  While National Rehabilitation Week is normally held in September, it 
was moved up this year to August 15-25 to coincide with the Paralympic 
Games being held in Atlanta. Both events bring together Americans who 
strive to overcome barriers and herald the victories of Americans with 
disabilities.
  The Paralympic Games-which have coincided with the Olympic Games 
since their inception in 1960-were started by Dr. Ludwig Guttmann, a 
doctor in Post World War II London who dreamed that sports could be 
used to improve the quality of life for people with spinal cord 
injuries. It took him 12 years to achieve his goal of creating a 
worldwide sports competition like the Olympics for disabled men and 
women.
  Like the Paralympics in which more than 4,000 athletes from over 100 
countries will compete this year, National Rehabilitation Week will 
celebrate the strength of human perseverance over

[[Page S9633]]

physical disabilities. As chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on 
Disability Policy, I have been fortunate to have witnessed that 
strength firsthand.
  The last 20 years have brought many milestones for Americans with 
disabilities. We have learned the value of rehabilitation for the 
disabled, and we have seen the glory of a dream coming true with the 
help of a rehab professional and sheer determination. We have also 
watched as perceptions of people with disabilities have been shattered 
by the perseverance of those people with disabilities and 
rehabilitation professionals who never shied away from a challenge.
  Mr. President, please join me in saluting the 49 million Americans 
with disabilities and the countless rehabilitation professionals who 
take the time and care to reach for these dreams and shatter the myths. 
National Rehabilitation Week continues to gain momentum. This year, 
more than 5,000 organizations are observing this event nationwide, 
including Health-South Hospitals in my home state of Tennessee. This is 
a week to applaud the accomplishments of people with disabilities and 
to recognize what still must be done.

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