Date: 2008-06-25
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. I want to certainly thank the staffs of our committees on both sides of the aisle for all of their work. They -put in a tremendous amount of time and intellectual power behind the amendments to the ADA and to put it back in the place that it should have after the court decisions damaged the intent and the purposes of this act. I certainly want to thank Sharon Lewis of the Committee on Education and Labor and Brian Kennedy and Thomas Webb. who is with us as an intern. for all of their work. I am very proud to be a Member of Congress today and certainly of the House of Representatives as we pass this lcgislation. I was brought to the issues around the disability community when I first came to Congress. or perhaps a little before that when I was working in the State legislature in California by a hardy crew from California who were deeply involved in pursuing the civil rights of those with disabilities and the constitutional rights of those with disabilities and their place in the legislative process. and I want to thank them. And that is Judy Heuman from California and known to many. and Ed Roberts. a great champion of disability rights. a magnificent person. and Hale Zukor. who still resides in Berkeley and continues the battle. and Jim Donald. who is a wonderful attorney on behalf of many in the disability community. and so many others. In my time in Congress. I have watched the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the battle over the 504 regulations. IDEA. at that time Education for All Handicapped Children. now IDEA. and the ADA: and today the restoration of the ADA to its proper position and power within the law. And I think its a tribute to this Congress. While in many instances we have had very controversial fights and there have been eruptions over the implementation of these laws. we have continued to march forward and ensure the rights of the disabled. for their participation in American society. I think so many Members now and so many people in our society recognize all that the members of the disability community have accomplished. all that they are accomplishing. and all that they will accomplish. So today when we look at a young child seeking to be enrolled in school and to have an opportunity at the content and the curriculum that others have and to have the chance to participate in that school in a meaningful way and not be put off and sidestepped or in segregated classes. when we look at individuals who want to pursue a career. an activity. in our society and not be discriminated against. and when we now see employers recognizing the talents and the abilities and the contributions to be made by individuals with disabilities. we as a Nation are far better off. far richer. and far more understanding than we were prior to the struggles over these laws. And I hope that all Members will share the pride that I do when later on we will be able to vote to restore the ADA after the damage done by the court decisions. And with that I thank all of my colleagues for their participation in this debate. Madam Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.