[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 628--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF 
DISABILITY PRIDE DAY AND RECOGNIZING THAT ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING PEOPLE 
 LIVING WITH DISABILITIES, HAVE THE RIGHT, RESPONSIBILITY, AND ABILITY 
  TO BE ACTIVE, CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY AND FULLY ENGAGED AS 
                     CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. DURBIN (for Mr. Obama (for himself and Mr. Durbin)) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 628

       Whereas all people, including people with disabilities, 
     should be guaranteed the right to receive a quality 
     education, to be productive members of the workforce, to 
     raise families, to exert control and choice over their own 
     lives, and to have equal opportunity to access and 
     participate in all facets of life;
       Whereas having a disability should be seen as a natural 
     part of human diversity;
       Whereas many people with disabilities share a cultural 
     experience and history;
       Whereas 18 years ago, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with 
     Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) was signed into 
     law, ending discrimination against and providing equal 
     opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, 
     education, government services, public accommodations, 
     commercial facilities, and transportation;
       Whereas in spite of the recent efforts to restore the 
     intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with 
     disabilities continue to face tremendous challenges in 
     society that test their resolve sociologically, emotionally, 
     and psychologically, and face negative cultural assumptions 
     based on fears and myths that need to be eliminated and 
     replaced with presumptions of competence, strength, and 
     individual worth;
       Whereas July 26, 2008, is a day of celebrations across the 
     United States that seek to educate and change the way that 
     people think about and define people with disabilities by 
     promoting the belief that disability is a natural and 
     beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with 
     disabilities can take pride; and
       Whereas July 26, 2008, would be an appropriate day to 
     designate as Disability Pride Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Disability Pride Day;
       (2) invites the citizens of the United States to join in 
     celebrating the pride, the power, and the potential of people 
     with disabilities by celebrating Disability Pride Day; and
       (3) urges public officials and the general public to honor 
     Americans with disabilities by becoming educated on ways to 
     support and encourage understanding of persons with 
     disabilities in the schools, diverse workforce, and 
     communities of the United States.

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