[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LEGISLATION TO AWARD THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO JUSTIN DART, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2002

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation to award 
the Congressional Gold Medal to Justin Dart Jr., a legendary advocate 
for disability and human rights, who died on June 22. He was 71 years 
old.
  Justin Dart was a leader in the disability rights movement for over 
30 years and was an instrumental force behind the Americans with 
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, a landmark law protecting the civil 
rights of persons with disabilities. He was widely regarded as one of 
the ``fathers of the ADA.''
  At age 18, Mr. Dart contracted polio, which left his legs paralyzed. 
He attended college at the University of Houston, where he earned his 
bachelor's and master's degrees. In college, Justin Dart became 
involved in the civil rights movement and founded an organization to 
end the racial segregation of the university he attended. Throughout 
his life, he was active in promoting and protecting the rights of 
women, persons of color, and gays and lesbians, in addition to people 
with disabilities.
  A successful entrepreneur, Mr. Dart established several businesses in 
Mexico and Japan during the 1950s and 1960s, but turned away from these 
ventures so that he and his wife, Yoshiko, could fully devote 
themselves to human rights causes. In the 1980s, he was appointed by 
Presidents Reagan and Bush to a number of government posts, including 
membership on the National Council on Disability, Commissioner of the 
Rehabilitation Service Administration, and chair of the President's 
Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. He also headed the 
Congressional Task Force on the Rights and Empowerment of Americans 
with Disabilities. He remained a strong proponent of the ADA, the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and other legislative 
milestones after his service in government, and helped found an 
organization, ``Justice for All,'' to protect the achievements of the 
disability rights movement.
  In 1998 Justin Dart was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 
the nation's highest civilian award. Mr. Speaker, it is only fitting 
that Congress honor this civil rights advocate with the Congressional 
Gold Medal as well.
  This week on July 26, we will celebrate the 12th anniversary of the 
ADA. On that day the disability community will come together in our 
Nation's Capital to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Justin Dart, 
and for his work to champion the cause of people with disabilities.
  Mr. Speaker, let Congress, too, celebrate the life of Justin Dart, 
and let Congress reaffirm its commitment to the civil rights of all 
Americans with disabilities, by honoring this outstanding and visionary 
American with the Congressional Gold Medal.




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