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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1355, a resolution to support the goals and ideals of Disability Pride Day.

Over 18 years ago Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law to end discrimination against and provide equal opportunities for people living with disabilities. It was a historic and proud day for the United States. The significant contributions to American life, our economy and every aspect of our society by people with disabilities deserve to be recognized and honored. While great strides have been made to ensure all rights for people living with disabilities are respected, we must always celebrate the victories and act with vigilance and determination to protect, defend and advance those rights.

This resolution expresses support for Disability Pride Day, and acknowledges the efforts of Chicago's 5th Annual Disability Pride Parade organizers for raising awareness for the needs of those with disabilities. It also urges public officials and the general public to support and encourage understanding of persons with disabilities.

We need to help support and encourage understanding of persons with disabilities in schools, the workforce, and in our communities. It is unacceptable that only one-third of Americans with disabilities are employed and people with disabilities are three times more likely to live in poverty. I believe all Americans should have the opportunity to achieve economic independence, which is why I support efforts to improve employment programs for individuals with disabilities. I also believe every child deserves a quality and affordable education, and we must ensure that our schools are adequately funded to promise a fair education for all children with disabilities. I support full funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, which is why I introduced the Achieving Our IDEA Act, H.R. 1896. This bill will help ensure that the Federal Government contributes 40 percent to the cost of educating children with special needs.

This year Congress also took action to ensure the rights of those with disabilities. The ADA Amendments Act, of which I was a cosponsor, passed the House with overwhelming support on June 25, 2008. This bill protects individuals from employment discrimination in the workplace for those who can and want to work, and restores the original intent of Congress. All Americans should be able to live and work in their communities without fear of being discriminated against.

All people have the right to be active, contributing members of our society and fully engaged citizens. I will continue to support efforts to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and celebrate Disability Pride Day.

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.

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.