[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 29, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1044-S1045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                        REMEMBERING JUDY HEUMANN

  Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I rise today to recognize the life and 
legacy of disability rights activist, Judy Heumann. Today, I join so 
many touched by her advocacy in mourning her passing, remembering her 
life, and paying tribute to the contributions she made to the 
disability community.
  Judy's activism began early in life. As a young child who contracted 
polio and used a wheelchair, she was denied the right to attend school 
in New York. Later in life, Judy was denied a teaching license after 
failing her medical exam due to ``paralysis of both lower

[[Page S1045]]

extremities.'' She sued the Board of Education and went on to be the 
first teacher in New York State to use a wheelchair.
  Judy served in various capacities throughout multiple Presidential 
administrations and was instrumental in the passage of groundbreaking 
legislation including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 
the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. She 
was the recipient of the Henry B. Betts Award, the Max Starkloff 
Lifetime Achievement Award, and was featured in numerous documentaries.
  I had the honor of working with Judy throughout my time as ranking 
member and chair of the HELP Committee and seeing firsthand how 
committed she was to making our world more welcoming and accessible to 
everyone. Her tenacity was an inspiration to me, and I am grateful that 
I had the chance to learn from her and work alongside her to make this 
country more inclusive for all. Her work has improved the lives of so 
many across our country. She will be remembered fondly.

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