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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into |
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law by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990, and a |
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quarter-century later, this landmark legislation continues to play |
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a vital role in protecting the civil rights of citizens with |
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disabilities; and |
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WHEREAS, In the United States, more than 56 million people, |
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or nearly 20 percent of the population, are living with a form of |
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physical or mental impairment; the ADA was designed to ensure that |
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these citizens receive equal treatment in all aspects of public |
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life, including employment, transportation, public accommodation, |
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telecommunications, and governmental services; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the years, countless people have benefited |
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from Title I of the Act, which prohibits discrimination against job |
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applicants and employees with disabilities and requires that |
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reasonable accommodations be implemented in the workplace to assist |
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such individuals; this provision has significantly contributed to |
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our nation's economic well-being by promoting an even more vibrant |
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and diverse workforce; and |
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WHEREAS, The ADA has further enhanced the quality of life for |
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people with disabilities and their families by guaranteeing equal |
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access to government programs, including public education, |
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housing, transportation, and emergency services; in addition, the |
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law has raised the standards of accessibility for such commercial |
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facilities as hotels, restaurants, movie theaters, and medical |
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offices, and has helped establish the Telecommunications Relay |
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Service, a free, nationwide initiative that allows people with |
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speech or hearing impairments to place and receive telephone calls; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, An inestimable safeguard of civil rights, the |
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Americans with Disabilities Act has empowered millions of people to |
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achieve success in numerous fields of endeavor, and the law's |
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outstanding legacy is indeed deserving of special recognition; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 25th anniversary of the signing |
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of the Americans with Disabilities Act and encourage all citizens |
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to learn more about this historic legislation. |