Mr. AKAKA -- Mr. President, I join my colleagues in commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I thank my friend from Iowa, Senator Harkin, for sponsoring a resolution recounting the history and accomplishments under this landmark Act for countless individuals in the United States. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this resolution.
The enactment of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, was a milestone and continues to serve the more than 54 million individuals with disabilities in our country today. These individuals are now able to better participate in society thanks to the removal of barriers in areas such as employment, transportation, public services, telecommunications, and public accommodations under the ADA. Prior to the passage of the Act, it was much more common for disabled Americans to encounter prejudice, discrimination, and physical exclusion in their everyday lives. The Americans with Disabilities Act marks the culmination of a civil rights movement that keeps faith with the spirit of our forefathers, who believed in the unalienable rights of all individuals.
Under the ADA, my home state has become a leader in providing new and updated facilities for individuals with disabilities. An estimated 148,000 people in Hawaii are living with a disability, and an estimated 22,000 people have difficulty performing self-care activities, such as dressing, bathing, or mobility inside the home according to the 2003 American Community Survey.
Since the passage of the ADA, Hawaii has modified more than 5,000 curb ramps and built 3,000 new curb ramps for better accessibility throughout the state. No one should be denied access to buses, sidewalks, or parks, and I am pleased to say that Hawaii is one of the leaders in ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in society. By next year, Hawaii's public sector will be almost 100 percent accessible and, as of today, 70 percent of the private sector has addressed or is addressing the needs of the disabled, according to a nationally recognized ADA consultant.
I join the more than 40 million disabled Americans who have been helped by the ADA in saying mahalo to those who championed this historic piece of legislation. In particular, the tireless efforts of Justin Dart, Jr. His courage and dedication as a disability rights advocate is exemplary in protecting the civil rights of disabled Americans. Mr. Dart has inspired future generations of disabled Americans to reach their full potential as active and engaged members of society.
The work of my fellow Senators Harkin and Kennedy in the Senate, as well as Representative Hoyer in the House, must also be recognized in addition to everyone else who pushed for this legislation. It was my great privilege to vote in favor of the conference report when it passed in the Senate on July 13, 1990. Our collaborative work in Congress to push the ADA through to passage showed a strong commitment to civil rights and equality. Millions of Americans are forever grateful for the chance they now have to live a better life.
