[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14878]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2002

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 12th 
anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As a co-
sponsor of this monumental legislation in 1990, I know how significant 
this legislation is to people with disabilities in my district and 
throughout the United States.
  Before the ADA was enacted in 1990, most people with disabilities 
were shut out of mainstream American life because of the arbitrary, 
unjust, and outmoded societal attitudes and practices. When President 
Bush signed the ADA, the world's first comprehensive civil rights law 
for people with disabilities, into law in front of 3000 people on the 
White House lawn on July 26, 1990, the event represented an historical 
benchmark and a milestone in America's commitment to full and equal 
opportunity for all of its citizens. The emphatic directive presented 
in the legislation is that 43 million Americans with disabilities are 
full-fledged citizens and as such are entitled to legal protections 
that ensure them equal opportunity and access to the mainstream of 
American life.
  The ADA recognizes that the surest way to America's continued 
vitality and strength is through the contributions of all its citizens. 
The achievements and accomplishments of individuals with disabilities 
are a milestone for this country as a whole and it is important to 
support the goals and ideas of the ADA. Mr. Speaker, I know my 
colleagues join me in honoring the 12th anniversary of the ADA and in 
strong support for strong protections of the rights of those with 
disabilities.

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