[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 29, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 37923-37924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18280]



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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 8398--Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 
2009



Proclamation 8399--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2009
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 144 / Wednesday, July 29, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 37923]]

                Proclamation 8398 of July 24, 2009

                
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities 
                Act, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Today we celebrate the 19th anniversary of the 
                enactment of the historic Americans with Disabilities 
                Act (ADA). Signed into law on July 26, 1990, this 
                landmark legislation established a clear mandate 
                against discrimination on the basis of disability so 
                that people with disabilities would have an equal 
                opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

                Our Nation is once again poised to make history for 
                people with disabilities. I am proud to announce that 
                the United States will sign the United Nations 
                Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 
                adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in New 
                York on December 13, 2006. The Convention is the first 
                new human rights convention of the 21st century adopted 
                by the United Nations, and it represents a paradigm 
                shift in protecting the human rights of 650 million 
                people with disabilities worldwide. We proudly join the 
                international community in further advancing the rights 
                of people with disabilities.

                As we reflect upon the past and look toward a brighter 
                future, we recognize that our country has made great 
                progress. More than ever before, Americans with 
                disabilities enjoy greater access to technology and 
                economic self-sufficiency. More communities are 
                accessible, more children with disabilities learn 
                alongside their peers, and more employers recognize the 
                capabilities of people with disabilities.

                Despite these achievements, much work remains to be 
                done. People with disabilities far too often lack the 
                choice to live in communities of their choosing; their 
                unemployment rate is much higher than those without 
                disabilities; they are much likelier to live in 
                poverty; health care is out of reach for too many; and 
                too many children with disabilities are denied a world-
                class education.

                My Administration has met these challenges head-on. We 
                have launched the ``Year of Community Living'' to help 
                people with disabilities live wherever they choose. We 
                have nearly doubled the funding for the Individuals 
                with Disabilities Education Act. I was proud to sign 
                the groundbreaking Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis 
                Act and the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization 
                Act, which provides health insurance to millions of 
                additional children. I also lifted the ban on stem cell 
                research. These measures demonstrate our commitment to 
                leveling the playing field for every person with a 
                disability. My Administration will not rest on these 
                accomplishments, and we will continue to focus on 
                improving the lives of people with disabilities. I 
                encourage States, localities, and communities across 
                the country to cultivate an environment in which the 54 
                million Americans living with a disability are valued 
                and respected.

                Americans have repeatedly affirmed the importance of 
                protecting the human rights and dignity of every member 
                of this great country. Through the steps we have taken, 
                we will continue to build on the ADA and demonstrate 
                our ongoing commitment to promoting, protecting, and 
                ensuring the full enjoyment of all human rights and 
                fundamental freedoms by people with disabilities.

[[Page 37924]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2009, as the 
                Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I 
                call on Americans across our country to celebrate the 
                progress we have made in protecting the civil rights of 
                people with disabilities and to recognize the step 
                forward we make with the signing of the United Nations 
                Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 
                Inspired by the advances of the last 19 years, let us 
                commit to greater achievements in the years ahead.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-fourth day of July, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-18280
Filed 7-28-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P