[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7221]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    RECOGNITION OF HEATHER EAGLESTON

 Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Miss 
Heather Eagleston of Mountain Home, AR. Heather recently won the 
Arkansas 2001 ``RespecTeen Speak for Yourself'' Contest. In her entry 
letter, Heather passionately described her personal experience with her 
brother's tragic accident and resulting paralysis and the problems he 
now faces everyday with disabilities discrimination. It was for 
families like this one that we passed the Americans with Disabilities 
Act just over 10 years ago and, during the 106th Congress, the Ticket 
to Work and Work Incentives improvement Act of 1999. However, as 
President Roosevelt once said, ``the credit belongs to the man who is 
actually in the arena . . . who does actually strive to do the deeds.'' 
In this case, that credit belongs to a thirteen-year-old girl, who has 
pledged herself in an effort to combat discrimination against the 
disabled, and who has already taken a notable step in that direction. I 
salute Heather for her dedication and congratulate her on this 
achievement.
  Mr. President, I ask that Heather Eagleston's letter and a short 
biography be printed in the Record.
  The material follows:

                                            Mountain Home, AR,

                                                 January 16, 2001.
     Hon. Asa Hutchinson,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Asa Hutchinson: Eliminating 
     discrimination against disabled people should be a national 
     priority. Even though legislation has been passed addressing 
     their problems, enforcement of existing laws still leaves the 
     disabled individual without even the most basic resources 
     necessary to pursue a normal life.
       Access into public buildings, and equal employment 
     opportunities are essential to every citizen of our country. 
     More than half of the population believes that the disabled 
     are being discriminated against in the workforce.
       The Rehabilitation Act, of 1973, requires all federal 
     agencies to take an affirmative action in hiring qualified 
     employees with disabilities. Currently, federal government 
     hires only 209,284 people with disabilities. That is only 
     seven percent of the entire work force.
       In 1993 my brother was paralyzed in a car accident. His 
     medical bills were about one million dollars, and at that 
     time we had no insurance. My mother had to go to the hospital 
     administrative board and beg them to give my brother the 
     spinal surgery he needed to function. Fortunately, after a 
     long tedious process he did qualify for government 
     assistance.
       We have come a long way. The government is making progress 
     but only in small parts. Since 1973 we have had about 20 laws 
     passed on disability rights. The current laws are not being 
     enforced. In 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act was 
     signed into a law. This included provisions to access all 
     public accommodations. However in 1994, when my brother went 
     to get his senior portrait taken there was no wheelchair 
     access ramp for him to get in, nor in the school sanction. 
     This is only one example of a minor problem that illustrates 
     a major issue.
       Initiate stricter penalties for those who will not abide by 
     the laws. Inform the public concerning the law the 
     consequences of ignoring the law.
       I will set a standard in my life that focuses on the fact 
     that no United States citizen, despite whatever limitation 
     they might have, feels that their rights are limited due to 
     public ignorance or support from our government. I will speak 
     out for the right of all individuals.
           Sincerely,
     Heather Eagleston.
                                  ____


                RespecTeen Speak for Yourself Entry Form

       Judging criteria: Letters will be judged on quality and 
     clarity of thought, quality of argument, effectiveness of 
     supporting data, quality of expression, sincerity and 
     originality, as well as adherence to rules regarding form and 
     length. Entries must address a national issue that a member 
     of a Congress can take action on. At least one sentence in 
     the letter must describe action the writer can take, has 
     taken, or plans to take to help address the issue on the 
     local level. Please keep in mind that if your letter is a 
     state or district winner, your letter will be released to the 
     media.
       You must complete all information below for entry into the 
     contest. Please staple this entry form securely to a copy of 
     the letter that you mailed to your U.S. representative.
       Please type clearly or print in black ink:

     Today's Date: January 30, 2001
     First Name: Heather
     Last Name: Eagleston
     Sex: Female
     Date of Birth: August 8, 1987
     Age: 13
     Grade: Eighth
     Email Address: [email protected]
     First and Last Name(s) of Parent(s) or Guardian(s) and 
         Daytime Phone Numbers: John Eagleston and Amanda Tait
     Daytime Phone: (870) 425-9686
     Home Street Address: 500 N. Church St. A-7
     City: Mountain Home
     State: Arkansas
     ZIP: 72653
     Home Phone: (870) 424-3253
     Teacher's Name: Mrs. Helen Gammill
     Full School Name: Mountain Home Junior High
     School Street Address: 2301 Rodeo Drive
     City: Mountain Home
     State: Arkansas
     ZIP: 72653
     School Phone: (870) 425-1231
     U.S. Representative (For Your Home Address): Asa Hutchinson
     Congressional District (For Your Home Address): #3
     Issue discussed in your letter: Discrimination against 
         disabled
       Please sign to the right, verifying that the letter is 
     entirely your own work:
               Heather Eagleston
       Is the number of words in the body of your letter between 
     150 and 350?: Yes.
       Does your letter have the six standard letter parts 
     (heading, inside address, greeting, body, closing, and 
     signature)?: Yes.

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