[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 119 (Monday, July 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE 24TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 28, 2014

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, this weekend we celebrated the 24th 
anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law by 
President Bush on July 26, 1990. Twenty-four years later, the ADA 
remains one of the most significant and comprehensive civil rights laws 
of our time. Its enactment affirmed our collective belief in America's 
fundamental promise of equality and opportunity for all. Today, the ADA 
and the subsequent ADA Amendments Act--which I was proud to help pass 
in 2008--continue to open doors and ensure greater access, inclusion 
and justice for millions of people living with disabilities.
  On this anniversary, we honor the civil rights pioneers who 
championed the ADA and express our sincere gratitude to those who 
continue the fight to fulfill its promise and expand opportunities for 
the entire disability community. As someone who has lived with the 
challenges of a disability since the age of 16, I know firsthand the 
positive impact the ADA has had on everyday activities for countless 
Americans. It has broken down barriers to education, employment and 
technology. It has made public transportation more accommodating, 
improved voting accessibility, and reduced the prevalence of 
discrimination throughout communities nationwide. I am proud future 
generations will live in a world that is more inclusive, more 
accessible, and increasingly recognizes the unique talents and 
abilities of individuals with disabilities.
  As we celebrate progress, however, we must also acknowledge areas 
where we have not yet accomplished our goals. Equal employment 
opportunities and fully integrated community living has not been fully 
realized; recent data shows 31 percent of disabled individuals live 
below the poverty line and less than 34 percent are fully employed. It 
is more important than ever that we educate businesses and connect them 
with proper resources to create more employment opportunities. We must 
ensure that transportation is available and accessible to everyone so 
they can get to their job, the doctor, or the grocery store. We must 
also address changes that accompany the modern age, such as fully 
accessible internet services. And we must ratify the United Nations 
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to reaffirm our 
country's longstanding role as a leader in global disability rights.
  Clearly, our work is far from done. As we approach the silver 
anniversary of the ADA, I look forward to reaffirming our commitment to 
equal opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic 
self-sufficiency for people with disabilities everywhere.

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