[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 116 (Thursday, July 23, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

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                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2015

  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 25th 
anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark 
legislation was critical to ensuring all Americans living with 
disabilities were guaranteed equal access to opportunities to live a 
full and meaningful life without being discriminated against. With over 
55 million people living in our nation with disabilities, it is 
sometimes hard to realize that before 1990, so many barriers stood in 
their way to leading happy, successful lives.
  My own godson lives with significant disabilities and if this law had 
not been enacted before he was born, his life would have turned out 
very differently--it would have been difficult to access 
transportation, public and private spaces, and receive an education. It 
is so important that we continue building upon the successes of the ADA 
and that we do everything within our power for those who need us to 
fight just a little bit extra for them, and that is why we must 
remember this anniversary.

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