[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16108]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF THE 16TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA

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                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 2006

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 16th 
anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act 
(ADA). Since the inception of this landmark legislation in 1990, the 
ADA has afforded broad anti-discrimination protection for disabled 
Americans.
  The ADA ensures that people with disabilities can access employment, 
public services, and transportation. By making sure that disabled 
citizens are hired on the basis of their abilities rather than their 
disabilities, this law has given millions of Americans the chance to be 
treated equally in the workplace. Disabled Americans can no longer be 
denied access to public places solely on the basis of their handicap. 
In addition, those who feel that they have been discriminated against 
have legal recourse to address potential discrimination. These 
opportunities have established a sense of empowerment where such a 
sense did not exist before.
  Though this legislation has helped countless people, there is surely 
more work to be done. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 70 percent 
of working-age Americans with significant disabilities are unemployed. 
This is the highest unemployment rate of any group of Americans, 
regardless of their education or qualifications. Many employers are 
wary of hiring disabled employees for fear of having to make expensive 
accommodations. Even worse, there still exists a prejudice against 
those with disabilities simply because of their disabilities. We must 
educate employees about the enormous potential they are missing or 
ignoring.
  The Americans with Disabilities Act is one of the most comprehensive 
civil rights laws to have ever been enacted. On this the 6th 
anniversary, we should acknowledge the noble goal of equality that the 
ADA aims to achieve. I urge Congress to continue to support this 
legislation and fight against discrimination throughout our society.

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