[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3167-S3168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      EQUAL ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, and colleagues, watching Ms. Shea enter the 
Chamber today makes me feel very proud. It is a good day for the Senate 
because ensuring equal access to opportunity is what the U.S. Senate is 
all about. Ms. Shea has been assisting my office in a number of 
matters, particularly nuclear waste legislation and legislation with 
respect to the rights of the disabled.
  Yesterday, I attempted to bring Ms. Shea on to the Senate floor to 
assist me in debate on the nuclear waste bill. Ms. Shea is a respected 
economist and energy policy expert who has worked for the Federal 
Government for more than 20 years. She was denied access to the Senate 
floor yesterday because she requires the use of a guide dog as a result 
of a genetic condition which significantly impairs her vision.
  Today, Mr. President and colleagues, I thank the majority and 
minority leaders as well as the chairman and ranking member of the 
Rules Committee for moving so expeditiously to ensure that this body 
extend equal opportunity to citizens who are visually impaired.
  Today, a resolution was offered by the majority and minority leaders 
and referred to the Senate Rules Committee that seeks to permanently 
address this issue so that an individual with a visual impairment will 
not need to seek case-by-case approval just to use their talents on 
this Senate floor. I intend to work with Members on both sides of the 
aisle and with Ms. Shea to make certain that the U.S. Senate provides 
appropriate access to those citizens with disabilities and that the 
access complies with the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  It seems to me, Mr. President, that what the Senate is saying today 
is that a double standard will not be allowed here. In the private 
sector, for example, Federal law is very clear. In the private sector 
where you have an individual with Ms. Shea's talents and abilities, and 
if a guide dog or a white cane is needed to carry out those duties in 
the private sector, Ms. Shea would have a legal right to have that 
guide dog with her.
  Now, I close by thanking several of our colleagues for their help in 
rectifying this situation. I particularly thank Senator Reid of Nevada, 
the lead cosponsor of my resolution, as well as chairman Frank 
Murkowski for his support yesterday. In addition, Senators Wellstone 
and Bryan and, in fact, all Members of the Senate who

[[Page S3168]]

were on the floor yesterday during discussion of this issue moved to be 
cosponsors of this legislation. I thank Senator Ford who also, for 
years, has worked for the rights of the disabled. Finally, I thank our 
Sergeant at Arms, Mr. Greg Casey. He has been extraordinarily patient 
and conscientious in working with myself and our staff. I thank him for 
helping to bring justice to the floor of the Senate.
  Mr. President, the U.S. Senate has done the right thing today by 
standing up for full legal rights and equal opportunity for those like 
Ms. Shea who have a visual impairment. The Senate is sending a message 
across this country that we are not going to leave our citizens behind. 
I am very proud that the Senate has taken this action. I yield the 
floor.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I compliment the distinguished Senator from 
Oregon and Ms. Shea for doing this historic and unprecedented 
resolution. This is a beautiful dog, Ms. Shea, and we are proud to have 
you on the floor of the U.S. Senate and proud to have your dog here as 
well.
  Mr. LEVIN. Will the Senator yield?
  Mr. HATCH. I yield.
  Mr. LEVIN. I want to join Senator Hatch in congratulating and 
thanking the Senator from Oregon for his persistence.
  Ms. Shea, we are delighted you are on the Senate floor with your dog. 
It is a historic day for the Senate. Senator Hatch has made the point 
and I join, and I think all of our colleagues join, in expressing 
appreciation to the Senator from Oregon who has done an important 
service for the Senate for making it possible for this to happen.
  Mr. WYDEN. I thank my colleague.

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