IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 378 
Recognizing and honoring the 15th anniversary of the signing of the 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 25, 2005 
Mr. SENSENBRENNER (for himself, Mr. HOYER, Mr. OWENS, Mr. RAMSTAD, 
Mr. HYDE, Mr. COBLE, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. 
CONYERS, Mr. LANGEVIN, Ms. PRYCE of Ohio, and Mr. REYNOLDS) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the 
Workforce, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Com-
merce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing and honoring the 15th anniversary of the 
signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 
Whereas July 26, 2005, marks the 15th anniversary of the 
signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; 
Whereas the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was one 
of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation 
since the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 
Whereas the purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act 
was—
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(1) to provide a clear and comprehensive national 
mandate for the elimination of discrimination against in-
dividuals with disabilities; 
(2) to provide clear, strong, consistent, enforceable 
standards addressing discrimination against individuals 
with disabilities; 
(3) to ensure that the Federal government plays a 
central role in enforcing the standards established in the 
Act on behalf of individuals with disabilities; and 
(4) to invoke the sweep of congressional authority, 
including the power to enforce the 14th amendment to 
the Constitution and to regulate commerce, in order to 
address the major areas of discrimination faced day-to- 
day by people with disabilities; 
Whereas Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act 
after two years of extensive and exhaustive hearings de-
tailing the historic and staggering isolation faced by peo-
ple with disabilities; 
Whereas, prior to the passage of the Americans with Disabil-
ities Act, people with disabilities faced significantly lower 
employment rates, lower graduation rates, and higher 
rates of poverty than people without disabilities, and were 
too often denied the opportunity to fully participate in so-
ciety due to intolerance and unfair stereotypes; 
Whereas the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed be-
cause existing Federal and State laws were insufficient to 
address the pervasive discrimination that existed for dis-
abled Americans; 
Whereas Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act 
with overwhelming bipartisan majorities, and President 
George H.W. Bush signed the bill into law on July 26, 
1990;
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Whereas the Americans with Disabilities Act established the 
world’s first comprehensive prohibition of discrimination 
on the basis of disability in the areas of employment, 
public accommodations, public services, transportation, 
and telecommunications; 
Whereas, in the 15 years since the enactment of the Ameri-
cans with Disabilities Act, significant changes have oc-
curred in the United States to— 
(1) facilitate greater inclusion and accessibility for 
millions of people with disabilities; 
(2) increase the empowerment of individuals with 
disabilities toward greater independence and self-suffi-
ciency; and 
(3) reduce unfounded negative impressions and 
stereotypes about people with disabilities, and to foster 
greater understanding and tolerance in society; and 
Whereas commemorating the 15th anniversary of the signing 
of the Americans with Disabilities Act both highlights the 
achievements that people with disabilities have gained 
since passage of the Act and recognizes the work left to 
be done to ensure that disabled Americans are fully able 
to participate in society: Now therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes and honors the 15th anniversary 
of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act 
of 1990; 
(2) recognizes and appreciates the work of the 
countless individuals and organizations in the dis-
ability rights community who fought tirelessly to ad-
vance the cause of people with disabilities, leading to
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the passage and enactment of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act, and who continue to work towards 
improving the lives of disabled Americans; 
(3) reaffirms its commitment to promoting the 
civil and constitutional rights of Americans with dis-
abilities and recognizes the important role of the Na-
tion’s Federal courts in securing the rights of Amer-
icans under the Americans with Disabilities Act; 
(4) continues to strongly support the purposes 
and goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act; 
and 
(5) encourages all Americans to recognize and 
celebrate the important historical significance of this 
Act. 
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