Washington, D.C. – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement recognizing the thirty second anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act:

“Today, we celebrate the thirty-second anniversary of President George H.W. Bush signing the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. This landmark legislation has given people the courage to dream and seize opportunities to build a better life, and it has stood the test of time as one of the most significant civil rights achievements of our lifetime. 

“For more than three decades, the ADA has opened doors for millions of people living with a disability, like my son Cole. It has fundamentally changed the lives of those in the disability community for the better and encourages us to celebrate every individual’s God-given abilities and potential. 

“Of course, there’s always more work to do to improve the quality of life for people living with a disability. This includes reducing barriers to employment, because a job means so much more than a paycheck– it’s an opportunity for a better life. We must work on solutions and build on the legacy of the ADA and the ABLE Act to close the gap between people with disabilities who are searching for a job and those who actually find one. As warriors for human dignity and human value, let’s help bring more people off the sidelines. Every person has value and deserves the opportunity to build a better life.”

NOTE: Rep. McMorris Rodgers is a leader on the ABLE Act and ABLE 2.0, laws that empower people with disabilities to save more of what they earn and to explore the workforce so they can find a job that affirms their dignity and purpose. To build on the legacy of ABLE,  she is also leading on the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which raises the age limit for eligibility to open ABLE Accounts for 26 to 46.

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