[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 130 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE LATE LINDA McDOUGAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 1998

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and achievements of Linda McDougal who died on May 3 of this Year. 
Linda has been a guiding force in raising public awareness of the needs 
of individuals with disabilities to assure everyone equality of 
opportunity, independent living and economic self-sufficiency.
  Linda, one of six children born and raised in Benton, Arkansas, 
contracted polio at a young age. Through the loving determination and 
support of her mother, Pearl, and her siblings, Richard, Robert, Paul, 
Nina and Elizabeth, she attended public school. Each day she and her 
wheelchair were carried onto the school bus and up the steps of the 
school. After graduation, Linda attended State Teacher's College in 
Conway, Arkansas. By the early 1980's, Linda had set out on her course 
to train others about the rights of persons with disabilities. Linda 
took a major role in developing a housing project designed to allow 
people with many different disabilities to live independently. She 
spearheaded a Disability Awareness Day at the Arkansas State Capitol 
which was attended by heads of agencies, lawmakers, and by Governor 
Bill Clinton.
  Linda and her husband Robert moved to Santa Cruz, California where 
Linda continued to make a difference in people's lives and attitudes. 
In 1986, she urged the County Board of Supervisors to create a 
Commission on Disabilities to guide public decision-makers in 
eliminating discrimination against people with disabilities in 
employment, and in the provision of goods and services. She helped to 
bring county facilities into compliance with the Americans with 
Disabilities Act. Linda became the first and, until her death, only 
Coordinator of the Commission. Among the many projects she undertook, 
Linda initiated an annual Job Fair featuring exhibits by employers who 
welcome employees with disabilities.
  In her dealings with others, Linda was unselfish, seeing the good in 
everyone, gracefully accepting other points of view, willing to give 
credit freely, and tenacious as a bulldog. Friends describe Linda as a 
sweet woman, honest and forthright, never negative, and possessing a 
delightfully wicked sense of humor. She loved to have a good cry while 
watching old black-and-white movies about love and romance.
  The community will miss her dearly, but Linda McDougal will always be 
remembered for the pathways she cleared. My thoughts are with her 
family.

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