[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 157 (Monday, September 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MOURNING THE LOSS OF KALLE KONKKOLA AND CELEBRATING HIS LIFE

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. DINA TITUS

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2018

  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Kalle Konkkola, an 
international disability rights advocate and former member of the 
Finnish Parliament.
  Mr. Konkkola passed away on September 11, 2018. He served from 1983 
to 1987 as the first member of the Finnish Parliament with a 
disability, developing key pieces of legislation on disability 
inclusion and independent living. Konkkola was a fervent advocate for 
the ratification of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons 
with Disabilities (CRPD) in Finland.
  Konkkola also helped to strengthen relationships between Finland and 
the U.S. in the area of disability policy. This relationship resulted 
in collaborative activities with the State Department's Special Advisor 
on International Disability Rights and our Embassy in Finland, 
including training on our Americans with Disabilities Act, joint 
efforts with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to 
advance the inclusion of disability, and discussions on conditions of 
disabled people in refugee camps.
  Konkkola worked tirelessly for disability inclusion worldwide. He was 
active in global partnerships for disability and development, and his 
work emphasized the need for a robust human rights framework in 
disability policy. Konkkola was instrumental in the negotiations that 
led to the creation of the European Disability Forum in 1996, and he 
founded the Abilis Foundation, an organization that promotes human 
rights, equal opportunities, and independent living through grantmaking 
to disabled people's organizations in low income countries, in 1998.
  Konkkola was a member of the Expert Group on Political Participation 
of Persons with Disabilities within the Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human 
Rights. He brought a unique perspective to the working group, having 
firsthand experience of many aspects of political life, including 
running as a candidate, serving in elected office, and advocating with 
policymakers.
  Here in the U.S. Congress, we can honor Konkkola's life by continuing 
his work to empower the one billion people in the world who have a 
disability, especially in political and public life. In partnership 
with the diverse disability community, we must remove barriers that 
prohibit the full participation of persons with disabilities as voters 
and candidates. When barriers are removed, voters with disabilities are 
afforded their full rights as citizens.
  Today, in memory of Mr. Konkkola, I reaffirm my commitment to 
supporting persons with disabilities in their pursuit of equal rights. 
I stand with you today, and for all the days to come.

                          ____________________