[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 30 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Pages 1263-1264]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7579--Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 
2002

 July 26, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is one of the most 
compassionate and successful civil rights laws in American history. In 
the 12 years since President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law, 
more people with disabilities are participating fully in our society 
than ever before. As we mark this important anniversary, we celebrate 
the positive effect this landmark legislation has had upon our Nation, 
and we recognize the important influence it has had in improving 
employment opportunities, government services, public accommodations, 
transportation, and telecommunications for those with disabilities.
    Today, Americans with disabilities enjoy greatly improved access to 
countless facets of life; but more work needs to be done. We must 
continue to build on the important foundations established by the ADA. 
Too many Americans with disabilities remain isolated, dependent, and 
deprived of the tools they need to enjoy all that our Nation has to 
offer.
    My Administration is committed to removing the barriers that prevent 
people with disabilities from realizing their full potential and 
achieving their dreams. The New Freedom Initiative, which I announced 
last year, builds on the hopeful path of the ADA. It provides Americans 
with disabilities increased access to assistive technologies, expands 
educational options, and increases opportunities for them to integrate 
into our workforce. We are committed to ensuring the delivery of vital 
services to disabled persons in an integrated, community-based setting.
    My Administration will continue to enforce the Americans with 
Disabilities Act, and we will work with businesses and State and local 
governments to increase partnerships that promote the purposes of the 
ADA. Together, we are working for a day when all people with 
disabilities are able to live and work with dignity, freedom, and 
independence and realize their potential as fully integrated members of 
our society.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, 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, 2002, as a 
day in celebration of the 12th Anniversary of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act. I call upon public officials, business leaders, people 
with disabilities, and all Americans to pursue the ADA's full promise of 
equal opportunity and to celebrate the expanded freedom that the ADA has 
brought to American life.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth 
day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:52 a.m., July 29, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
July 30.

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