Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 2007 (with comments added to *'s proclamation)

Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America


On the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we celebrate our progress towards an America where individuals with disabilities are recognized for their talents and contributions to our society. We also underscore our commitment to extend the full liberties and freedoms of our great country to all Americans.(except gays, women, blacks, indians,...)

Seventeen years ago, President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law. This legislation became one of the most successful and compassionate reforms in our Nation's history, helping to ensure that individuals with disabilities are better able to develop meaningful skills, engage in productive work, and participate fully in the life of our Nation.

My Administration continues our work to build on this landmark legislation(by creating more disabled via a war). In 2001, I announced the New Freedom Initiative to promote the full participation of people with disabilities in all areas of society by improving educational and employment opportunities, increasing access to assistive technologies, expanding transportation options, and promoting homeownership and integration into daily community life. The New Freedom Initiative and the ADA provide children with disabilities the tools they need to succeed in schools and communities. Working men and women living with disabilities contribute to our strong economy, and the "Ticket to Work" program and services at One-Stop Career Centers help expand employment opportunities. The DisabilityInfo.gov website connects individuals with disabilities and their families to vital information that helps more Americans share in the promises of our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America(until they finally impeach me), by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2007, as a day in celebration of the 17th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I call on all Americans to celebrate the vital contributions of individuals with disabilities as we work towards fulfilling the promise of the ADA to give all our citizens the opportunity to live with dignity, work productively, and achieve their dreams.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand (well, hands - I put them around lady liberty's throat)this twenty-fourth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070724-8.html

"My administation continues to build on this landmark legislation.

BY MAKING MORE INJURED AND MAIMED VETS WHO MUST RELY ON THE LEGISLATION WHICH YOU HAVE ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH.

and his judicial appointments have gutted the ADA, often with the collusion of his Justice Department.

But hey, have a happy ADA day or whatever *shrug*

Here is a snippet of a press release that I received from the autism society earlier this year:

Critical autism and disability programs are underfunded

On February 5, 2007, the President submitted his Fiscal Year 2008 budget to Congress for its review. With an aim toward reducing the deficit and balancing the budget by 2012, the President's budget included more than $100 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, and kept many other critical programs constant.

With respect to funding for autism, the President's budget contained no new funding for the Combating Autism Act (CAA). Although the budget includes level funding (estimated at $115 million) for existing surveillance and research programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it falls far short of the $168 million authorized in the CAA for FY 2008.

The proposed funding level for the IDEA State Grant would actually decrease the per pupil federal share of funding for students with disabilities below 17 percent, well below the authorized amount of 40 percent. It also includes a $64 million cut for IDEA National Activities programs. Perhaps most problematic, the proposal includes no new funding for special education teacher preparation program, even as school districts are struggling to hire highly qualified teachers to meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Other key disability programs are similarly affected. The budget eliminates the Supported Employment State Grant program, cuts 46 percent from the Section 811 HUD Supportive Housing program, and cuts 32 percent from the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment program. Vocational rehabilitation funding is reduced by $54 million, even failing to add the CPI increase (as required by law) to its budget request. Other cuts include the State Assistive Technology Programs and Technical Assistance, and the Projects with Industry program.

That is why the gang of 14 was a bad idea.