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ADA Amendments Act of 2008

Date: Sept. 17, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights


ADA AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - September 17, 2008)

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Mr. LANGEVIN. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 3406, the Senate-approved ADA Amendments Act of 2008. Passage of this bill will clear the way for the President's signature and finally renew our promise to the American people that discrimination in any form will never be tolerated.

I would like to thank my good friend, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who has been a real leader and champion on behalf of the disabilities community. I would also like to express my appreciation to Chairman Miller for his continued leadership on this critical issue, as well as Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner. This has truly been a bipartisan effort.

The ADA was groundbreaking civil rights legislation. And as someone who has lived with the challenges of a disability both before and after the ADA's enactment in 1990, I have experienced firsthand the profound changes that this law has effected within our society.

The bill before us today reaffirms the protections of the ADA and upholds the ideals of equality and opportunity on which this country was founded. In July, we celebrated the 18th anniversary of the ADA. It was a day to reflect on our past accomplishments, our current challenges, and future opportunities. I can think of no better way to honor the spirit of this landmark bill and the spirit of all those who fought for its passage than by passing the ADA Amendments Act and restoring Congress' intent to ensure the ADA's broad protections.

Mr. Speaker, people with disabilities represent a tremendously valuable, and yet in many ways untapped, resource in this country. By fostering an environment of inclusion and empowerment, we can provide the means for every individual to fulfill his or her God-given potential.

The ADA Amendments Act will help us realize this important goal. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the passage of this bill and send it to the President for his signature. Again, I thank all those who were part of making this day possible, particularly, again, our majority leader, Steny Hoyer, for his great leadership.

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