    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [July 26, 2002]
    [Pages 1302-1304]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
    July 26, 2002

        Well, thank you all for coming, and welcome to the White House. We
    like to call this the people's house, and we're glad you're here. Today
    we celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act,
    landmark legislation that opens the door for more than 50 million people
    living with disabilities--50 million Americans.
        For 12 years, the ADA has proven that when people are treated with
    dignity and respect, our entire Nation benefits. And the best way to
    celebrate the progress the ADA has made is to continue and build on that
    progress.
        I want to thank the Attorney General for
    coming today. I thank Elaine Chao for being
    here, Mel Martinez and Norm Mineta, Tony Principi, all
    members of my Cabinet. I appreciate Senator Bob Dole joining us today. I missed you yesterday in North
    Carolina, but thanks for coming. I appreciate so very much the leaders
    of the United States Congress who are here today with us, Senators and
    Members of the House of Representatives. Thank you all for taking time
    from what appears to be a pretty hectic time to lend your support and
    commitment to this vital goal, that all Americans are welcomed in
    America.

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        I appreciate Dick Thornburg, who was the
    Attorney General when my dad was the President when the ADA was signed,
    and he helped very much make sure that it was all done in a way that
    would pass muster. I thank him for being here as well.
        I want to thank Cari Dominguez, who is
    the Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, for coming;
    thank Kay James, who is the Director of
    Office of Personnel Management, for coming.
        I also want to thank Lex Frieden for being
    here as well. Lex is a representative of the Dart family. Justin Dart
    passed away on June 22d, 2002. He was known by many as the father of the
    Americans with Disabilities Act. He had a huge impact on our Nation. We
    mourn his loss, and we thank Lex for being here.
        The ADA is one of the most compassionate and successful civil rights
    laws in American history. It has made our schools and workplaces more
    welcoming. It has changed attitudes that once seemed unchangeable. And
    the ADA has given opportunity to some exceptional Americans.
        Today I'm joined on stage by some exceptional Americans. They are
    participants in the National Youth Leadership Network, an organization
    sponsored by the Federal Government and committed to advancing the next
    generation of disability leaders. Through their hard work and
    determination, each of them embodies the true spirit of the ADA.
        William Le'Ron Jackson, seated right
    here to my right--oh, yeah. Let me tell you what he said: ``In spite of
    all the barriers I have encountered, I always hear my mother's voice
    saying, `Le'Ron, keep reaching up.' And that is exactly what I plan to
    do.'' This fall, Le'Ron is returning to college to continue reaching
    toward his goal of becoming a paralegal. When he's not studying, he's an
    active volunteer in his community. Le'Ron Jackson is an example of how
    the ADA changes lives. He is a role model for all Americans with and
    without disabilities. Thank you for being here.
        The ADA has given greater hope and dignity to countless Americans.
    Yet, our work is not complete. Too many individuals still find it
    difficult to pursue an education or own a home or hold a job. We must
    continue to remove the artificial barriers to achievement that remain.
        Last year, my administration unveiled the New Freedom Initiative, an
    effort to continue on the hopeful path of the ADA. This initiative gives
    people with disabilities increased access to new technologies for
    independent living, greater educational opportunities, better access to
    the workplace and community life.
        For too many individuals with disabilities, inadequate
    transportation limits access to schools and churches and jobs, and this
    is one obstacle the New Freedom Initiative addresses. The 2003 budget I
    submitted provides $145 million for alternative transportation and
    innovative transportation grants, so that people with disabilities can
    work and participate more actively in their communities. And I urge the
    Congress to fully fund my New Freedom Initiative budget requests.
        And when Americans with disabilities participate in their
    communities, they should not be penalized. Today, Medicare recipients
    who are considered homebound may lose coverage if they occasionally go
    to a baseball game--which, of course, I encourage them to do--
    [laughter]--or meet with a friend or go to a family reunion. New
    technology is allowing even the most significantly disabled Americans to
    be more mobile. That's just a fact. And they should not be forced to
    trade their benefits for a little freedom. So today I announce we're
    clarifying Medicare policy, so people who are considered homebound can
    occasionally take part in their communities without fear of losing their
    benefits.
        We're also determined to help people like Le'Ron to their full potential, by expanding educational
    opportunities. In both my budgets, I've asked for increases in special
    education grant funding of $1 billion.

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    These are the largest increases ever proposed. In addition, I created
    the Commission on Excellence and Special Education, to recommend
    policies to improve the educational performance of students with
    disabilities. The Commission provided excellent recommendations in its
    recent report. And I look forward to working with Congress, and I hope
    Congress will closely examine those findings when it considers the
    reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
        You know, when my father signed the ADA into law in 1990, he said,
    ``We must not and will not rest until every man and woman with a dream
    has the means to achieve it.'' Today we renew that commitment, and we
    continue to work for an America where individuals are celebrated for
    their abilities, not judged by their disabilities.
        Again, I want to welcome you all here. I want to thank those who
    were pioneers in this landmark legislation for being here to celebrate
    this anniversary. I am now pleased to sign a proclamation in honor of
    the 12th anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act. Thank you for
    coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:47 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. The proclamation is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume.