The 20th Anniversary of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act
WHEREAS, on July 26th, 1990, the United States Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation and telecommunications; and
WHEREAS, on July 1st, 1985, the Commonwealth of Virginia enacted the Virginians with Disabilities Act to assure equal opportunity to persons with disabilities, making it the policy of the Commonwealth to prohibit any entity receiving state funds from discriminating against Virginians with disabilities with respect to employment, voting, higher education, and access to housing; and
WHEREAS, disability is a natural part of the human experience, and individuals with disabilities have the right to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society and participate fully in the American experience; and
WHEREAS, millions of people in the United States, of all ages, have disabilities and make valuable contributions to their families, their communities and to the civic and economic well being of our nation and the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth’s policy encourages and enables Virginians with disabilities to participate fully and equally in the social and economic life of the Commonwealth and to engage in remunerative employment; and
WHEREAS, individuals and organizations nationwide are celebrating the anniversary of the signing of Americans with Disabilities Act as landmark civil rights legislation through awareness and other celebratory activities; and
WHEREAS, through the enactment of the Virginians with Disabilities Act, the Commonwealth has provided leadership in ensuring equality of access and opportunity to all of its citizens; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize July 26, 2010 as the 20th Anniversary of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.