[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11] [House] [Pages 16088-16089] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR DESIGNATION OF DISABILITY PRIDE DAY Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1355) expressing support for designation of Disability Pride Day and recognizing that all people, including those living with disabilities, have the right, responsibility, and ability to be active, contributing members of our society and fully engaged as citizens. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 1355 Whereas all people, including those with disabilities, should be guaranteed the right to receive a quality education, to be productive members of our workforce, to raise families, to exert control and choice over their own lives, and to have equal opportunity to access and participate in all facets of life; Whereas having a disability should be seen as a natural part of human diversity; Whereas many people with disabilities share a cultural experience and history; Whereas 18 years ago, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, ending discrimination against and providing equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, education, government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation; Whereas in spite of the recent efforts to restore the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities continue to face tremendous challenges in our society that test their resolve sociologically, emotionally, and psychologically, as well as face negative cultural assumptions based on fears and myths that need to be eliminated and replaced with presumptions of competence, strength, and individual worth; Whereas July 26, 2008, is the City of Chicago's 5th Annual Disability Pride Parade, a celebration that will seek to educate and change the way that people think about and define those with disabilities by promoting the belief that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with disabilities can take pride; and Whereas July 26, 2008, would be an appropriate day to designate as Disability Pride Day: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) supports the goals and ideals of Disability Pride Day; (2) acknowledges the efforts of the City of Chicago's 5th Annual Disability Pride Parade organizers to raise awareness concerning the value of people with disabilities; (3) invites the Nation to join in celebrating the pride, the power, and the potential of people with disabilities by celebrating Disability Pride Day; and (4) urges public officials and the general public to honor Americans with disabilities by educating themselves on ways to support and encourage understanding of persons with disabilities in our schools, within our diverse workforce, as well as in our communities. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois. General Leave Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1355 into the Record. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois? There was no objection. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. I rise today in support of H. Res. 1355, which designates July 26, 2008, as Disability Pride Day and recognizes that all people, including those living with disabilities, have the right, responsibility and ability to be active, contributing members of our society, and fully engaged as citizens. Over 54 million Americans have one or more disabilities. That translates into approximately one in five Americans who have a disability. The number of individuals with disabilities continues to increase with advances in medicine and technology, as well as with our aging population. People with disabilities represent the Nation's largest minority. There are many famous and influential Americans with disabilities. Our 32nd President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt; actors Tom Cruise and Michael J. Fox; scientist Albert Einstein; and disability rights activists such as Justin Dart and Chicago's own Marca Bristo, to name just a few. Disability Pride Day acknowledges the contributions of all Americans with disabilities. To make this great nation's promise of equality and freedom a reality for people with disabilities, Congress has protected the civil rights of individuals with disabilities through landmark Federal legislation such as the Rehabilitation Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Eighteen years ago this week, on July 26, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, education, government services, public accommodations, telecommunications and transportation. The ADA has fundamentally changed the landscape of this country, providing equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities and improving access to all aspects of life in our communities. Despite these efforts, we still have a long way to go. According to a national survey in 2004, people with disabilities live in poverty at a rate three times the national average. Also, people with disabilities are twice as likely to struggle with inadequate transportation, and only 35 percent of working-age Americans with disabilities are employed full or part time. In the face of these challenges, celebrating Disability Pride Day reminds us that disability is not an abnormal, flawed condition, but, rather, as stated in the Developmental Disabilities Act, that ``disability is a natural and normal part of the human experience.'' Human diversity should be embraced and encouraged, as it represents one of the core values of an empowered nation. [[Page 16089]] H. Res. 1355 promotes this belief in human diversity, acknowledging that all people, including those with disabilities, should be guaranteed the right to receive a quality education, to be productive members of our workforce, to raise families, to exert control and choice over their own lives, and to have equal opportunity to access and participate in all facets of life. This resolution invites the Nation to join in celebrating the pride, the power and the potential of people with disabilities by celebrating Disability Pride Day, and it urges all public officials and the general public to honor Americans with disabilities by educating ourselves on ways to support and encourage understanding of persons with disabilities. Finally, H. Res. 1355 commends the organizers of the City of Chicago's Fifth Annual Disability Pride Parade for their work on the disability pride activities planned for July 26, 2008, and their efforts to raise disability awareness. I once again express my support for H. Res. 1355, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today there are approximately 51 million Americans living with one or more disabilities. This means approximately 18 percent of Americans report having one or more disabilities, which may include physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive or intellectual impairment, mental disorder or various types of chronic disease. {time} 2045 Without the contributions of Americans with disabilities we would be without some of our best athletes, artists, and most brilliant minds. Jim Abbott, the only person in Major League Baseball to be born with one hand, has thrown a no-hitter and has won Olympic gold. Patty Duke, who was diagnosed with manic-depressive disorder, won three Emmy Awards for made-for-television movies and is a nationally recognized actress. Stephen Hawking, who was diagnosed with ALS, is one of the premier physicists in the world. One-legged downhill skiers have been clocked during sporting events going more than 70 miles an hour. Authors without limbs have written best-selling novels. Blind violinists have played in Carnegie Hall. And the list goes on and on. Americans with disabilities have contributed to America's culture and society in ways many of us with lesser challenges could not dream of. House Resolution 1355 recognizes the designation of Disability Pride Day, and urges everyone to honor Americans with disabilities. I'm happy to join my colleague, Representative Danny Davis of Illinois, in support of this resolution and ask my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from North Carolina for her comments, and I appreciate her work with us on this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1355. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________