[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO ACCESSIBILITY ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 26, 2010

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 21st 
Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. I'm proud to be a 
cosponsor of this legislation, voting for it in the Communications, 
Technology, and the Internet Subcommittee and in the full Energy and 
Commerce Committee. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting 
for it today.
  Today is a historic day. It is the 20th anniversary of the enactment 
of the Americans With Disabilities Act, ADA. Twenty years and one day 
ago, individuals with disabilities did not enjoy the same access to 
employment, education, or basic services as other Americans. The ADA 
changed that forever. Our workplaces, schools, buildings, and sidewalks 
offer safe and fair access for Americans with disabilities, where for 
too long they had none.
  In the 20 years the ADA has been the law of the land, our country has 
seen significant change. Much of that change has been driven by the 
high-tech innovators in my Congressional District, the heart of Silicon 
Valley. In 1990 a supercomputer that would fill a building the size of 
a warehouse can now fit in the palm of a hand. We can now watch our 
favorite television shows outside, on an airplane, or in a coffee shop 
on our computers. Businesses can allow their employees to collaborate 
face-to-face from offices thousands of miles apart. Communications and 
video technology have become truly integral aspects of our everyday 
lives.
  Unfortunately, not all Americans have been able to take full 
advantage of these innovations in technology. By passing the 21st 
Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act today, we will 
change this.
  Working to address the needs of individuals with vision, hearing, and 
other disabilities by updating communications laws last revised in 
1996, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act makes 
technology and telecommunications devices and services accessible to 
everyone.
  I commend the author of this legislation, Representative Ed Markey, 
for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of the disabilities 
community. On this historic day, I'm proud to support this legislation 
that will ensure no one is left behind.

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