[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1183]
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. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2015

  Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of this week's 
25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was 
signed into law July 26, 1990.
  This milestone piece of legislation marked a positive step forward in 
affording Americans with disabilities the right to life, liberty and 
the pursuit of happiness. It represented a significant change in 
national anti-discrimination laws, making discrimination against 
Americans with disabilities in the private sphere illegal, and 
requiring reasonable public accommodation. However, there is still work 
to be done to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities. Some 
still trail the population in many economic indicators, as they are 
twice as likely to be poor and one-fifth as likely to be employed. The 
ADA was a major step toward ensuring economic independence.
  In my district, the Disability Student Support Services project at 
Queens College was recently awarded a federal grant from the U.S. 
Department of Education that will help fund that program. This program 
aids a group of 100 students in their studies at Queens College, and 
provides them the support they need to ensure that they graduate.
  I would like to commend my constituent, Charmaine Worthy, for her 
efforts in the CUNY system serving disabled students. As the University 
Coordinator of Student Activities, she has worked tirelessly to empower 
CUNY students. Thank you, Ms. Worthy, for your important work. You are 
a shining example of the importance of giving back to one's community.
  Educational and economic gaps that persist between disabled Americans 
and their peers shrink through people like Ms. Worthy, institutions 
like CUNY, and the grants that fund these important programs.

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