The Fourth of July is a good time to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill passed in the Senate on a 76-8 vote (with 16 senators not voting). A liberal senator and a conservative senator led the effort. Sen. Tom Harkin introduced the bill in sign language so that his deaf brother could understand. Sen. Bob Dole, severely disabled in WW II, voted for the bill.
President George H. W. Bush signed the bill into law, stating:
“I know there may have been concerns that the ADA may be too vague or too costly, or may lead endlessly to litigation. But I want to reassure you right now that my administration and the United States Congress have carefully crafted this Act. We've all been determined to ensure that it gives flexibility, particularly in terms of the timetable of implementation; and we've been committed to containing the costs that may be incurred.... Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down.”
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