PRINTER'S NO.  2841

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

No.

517

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY MURT, ADOLPH, BAKER, BEAR, BRENNAN, BROOKS, BROWNLEE, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, DiGIROLAMO, J. EVANS, EVERETT, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRELL, HARKINS, HESS, W. KELLER, KILLION, KNOWLES, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, McGEEHAN, MILLARD, MIRABITO, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PARKER, ROCK, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SCHRODER, K. SMITH, SONNEY, STERN, SWANGER, THOMAS, TOOHIL, VEREB, VULAKOVICH AND YOUNGBLOOD, DECEMBER 7, 2011

  

  

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, DECEMBER 7, 2011  

  

  

  

A RESOLUTION

  

1

Designating the month of November 2011 as "Disability History

2

Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

3

WHEREAS, According to the United States Census Bureau, in

4

2009, 36,150,710 individuals, or 12% of the population of the

5

United States, have a disability; and

6

WHEREAS, Disability is an aspect of the human experience that

7

crosses all boundaries of humanity worldwide; and

8

WHEREAS, During most of American history, people with

9

disabilities were subjected to discrimination and mistreatment

10

by society; and

11

WHEREAS, The early efforts of activists in the disability

12

rights movement laid the foundation for future Federal and state

13

laws, and the disability community has successfully mobilized

14

over the years to enact laws to give people with disabilities

- 1 -

 


1

important civil rights protection; and

2

WHEREAS, In 1975, the Federal Education for All Handicapped

3

Children Act (EHA) was enacted to ensure that children with

4

disabilities have the opportunity to receive a free appropriate

5

public education, just like all other children; and

6

WHEREAS, Renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education

7

Act in 1990, the EHA has been amended several times to assure

8

that all children with disabilities from birth through 21 years

9

of age receive the appropriate supports, services and education

10

to meet their needs; and

11

WHEREAS, A major milestone in the disability rights movement

12

was the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990

13

which established protections and equal opportunity for

14

individuals with disabilities including employment,

15

transportation, telecommunications, public accommodations and

16

Federal Government and state government services; and

17

WHEREAS, Most Americans are unaware of the significant

18

historic contributions that people with disabilities have made,

19

and are continuing to make today, for the benefit of our nation;

20

and

21

WHEREAS, To ensure full inclusion of people with disabilities

22

into all aspects of society, it is essential to educate the

23

public about the history of the disability rights movement and

24

to raise awareness of the daily challenges faced by persons with

25

disabilities and of the talents and skills persons with

26

disabilities can bring to their schools, jobs and communities;

27

therefore be it

28

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

29

month of November 2011 as "Disability History Awareness Month"

30

in Pennsylvania and encourage all citizens, schools and

- 2 -

 


1

businesses to work within their communities to increase

2

awareness and understanding of individuals with disabilities,

3

their history, accomplishments and contributions to their

4

communities and society.

- 3 -