Program for the Celebration of the 14th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 20th Anniversary of the National Council on Disability

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	Americans with Disabilities Act 14th Anniversary National Council on Disability 20th Anniversary as an independent federal agency Souvenir Program Booklet, Web Version National Council on Disability in collaboration with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts July 24, 2004 National Council on Disability Members and Staff Members Lex Frieden, Chairperson, Texas Patricia Pound, First Vice Chairperson, Texas Glenn Anderson, Ph.D., Second Vice Chairperson, Arkansas Milton Aponte, J.D., Florida Robert R. Davila, Ph.D., New York Barbara Gillcrist, New Mexico Graham Hill, Virginia Joel I. Kahn, Ph.D., Ohio Young Woo Kang, Ph.D., Indiana Kathleen Martinez, California Carol Novak, Florida Anne M. Rader, New York Marco Rodriguez, California David Wenzel, Pennsylvania Linda Wetters, Ohio Staff Ethel D. Briggs, Executive Director Jeffrey T. Rosen, General Counsel and Director of Policy Mark S. Quigley, Director of Communications Martin Gould, Ed.D., Senior Research Specialist Allan W. Holland, Chief Financial Officer Julie Carroll, Attorney Advisor Geraldine Drake Hawkins, Ph.D., Program Analyst Joan M. Durocher, Attorney Advisor Pamela O'Leary, Interpreter Brenda Bratton, Executive Assistant Stacey S. Brown, Staff Assistant Carla Nelson, Office Automation Clerk Welcome to a celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act 14th Anniversary and the National Council on Disability 20th Anniversary as an independent federal agency NCD would like to thank and acknowledge those organizations and individuals who gave so generously to sponsor this event. Platinum Patrons ($10,000) Procter & Gamble Gold Patrons ($5,000) Microsoft Corporation Silver Patrons ($2,500) Communication Service for the Deaf Copper Patrons ($2,000 and under) Glenn B. Anderson, Ph.D. NCD Member Milton Aponte, J.D., NCD Member John P. Cleary Yoshiko Dart Robert Davila, Ph.D., NCD Member Anthony H. Flack, Former NCD Member Lex Frieden, NCD Chairperson Gallaudet University Barbara Gillcrist, NCD Member Margaret C. Hager, Former NCD Member The Hammerman and Fisch Foundation Joel I. Kahn, Ph.D., NCD Member Joni and Friends (Joni Tada, Former NCD Member) Young Woo Kang, Ph.D., NCD Member Jeremiah Milbank, Jr., Former NCD Member Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation National Technical Institute for the Deaf Sandra Swift Parrino, Former NCD Chairperson Anne M. Rader, NCD Member Mary Mathews Raether, Former NCD Member Shirley W. Ryan, Former NCD Member Washington Engraving David Wenzel, NCD Member Linda Wetters, NCD Member Kate P. Wolters, Former NCD Vice Chairperson Phyllis Zlotnick, Former NCD Member NCD would also like to acknowledge TIRR Foundation for its technical assistance and support. NCD is grateful to those volunteers who assisted during the event. NCD Brenda Bratton Stacey Brown Kerry Lida Carla Nelson Apptis Jean Murphy President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities Laurice Redhead Archbishop Spalding High School Brooke-Ashley Borowy Jacqueline Geary Allison Humen Teresa Quigley Saint Mary's High School Veronica Sera Sponsored by The National Council on Disability in collaboration with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts July 24, 2004 The Kennedy Center Washington, DC THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON June 1, 2004 I send greetings to those observing the 14th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the National Council on Disability as an independent agency. People with disabilities deserve the opportunity to live with dignity, work productively, and realize their full potential. Throughout its history, NCD has provided recommendations on policies, programs, and practices that help ensure people with disabilities are able to fully participate in American life. The work of NCD was instrumental in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which has made it easier for people with disabilities to find employment, enter public buildings, and live independent lives. I commend NCD and all those who work to create an America where all people are celebrated for their abilities and encouraged to live their dreams. Your efforts help ensure that our Nation benefits from the talent and creativity of every citizen. Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for a memorable anniversary celebration. George Bush NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY An independent federal agency working with the President and Congress to increase the inclusion, independence, and empowerment of all Americans with Disabilities July 24, 2004 Dear Friends: It is my pleasure to welcome you to this celebration of the 14th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the 20th anniversary of the National Council on Disability (NCD) as an independent federal agency, and the presentation of the Justin Dart Freedom Award. In its 1986 report Toward Independence, NCD first proposed that Congress should enact a civil rights law for people with disabilities. The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA was landmark legislation that broke down barriers that stood in the way of people with disabilities in the areas of employment, public service, public accommodations, and telecommunications. It promoted an America in which all people have the right to reap the benefits of and contribute to our society. As we observe the 14th anniversary of the ADA, we in fact are honoring the many thousands of people who sacrificed their time and talents to the creation and passage of the ADA. Their actions established a firm foundation so that the ADA would become a reality. In observing the 20th anniversary of NCD as an independent federal agency, we salute current and former members, staff, fellows, and interns who have worked to achieve the intent of Congress for NCD to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. Today, we honor one of those extraordinary individuals--former Governor of Connecticut and U.S. Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.--for his preeminent role in helping make the ADA a reality and for making NCD an independent federal agency. We do this by presenting Senator Weicker with an award named after another great leader--Justin Dart, Jr. In doing so, we also honor the millions of people with disabilities who struggle to fulfill the American dream. I hope that you will enjoy this evening's activities. Happy Anniversary ADA and NCD. Sincerely, Lex Frieden Chairperson 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004 202-272-2004 Voice, 202-272-2074 TTY, 202-272-2022 Fax (See Remarks by Sandra Swift Parrino and Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.) Program 6:00 p.m Entertainment by Dionysus Theatre Troupe and Hunter Ramseur and Scott McCall The Millennium Stage, Grand Foyer, Main Level The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Link to the performance of July 24, 2004, in the Millennium Stage Broadcast Archives at http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/archive.html.) 7:00 p.m. Reception The Atrium, Roof Level The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 8:00 p.m. Welcome David Wenzel, NCD Member, Vietnam Veteran, Master of Ceremonies Armed Forces Color Guard United States Army Military District of Washington National Anthem "President's Own" U.S. Marine Band Brass Quintet Pledge of Allegiance Invocation Young Woo Kang, Ph.D., NCD Member Opening Remarks Lex Frieden, NCD Chairperson Introduction of Keynote Speaker Sandra Swift Parrino, Former NCD Chairperson Keynote Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., Former Connecticut Governor and U.S. Senator Presentation of the Justin Dart Freedom Award Lex Frieden David Wenzel Joe Dusenbury Rebecca Hare Sandra Swift Parrino Yoshiko Dart Benediction Glenn Anderson, Ph.D., NCD Member Entertainment by Hunter Ramseur and Scott McCall 9:30 p.m. Adjournment Justin Dart Freedom Award Presented to Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. On July 25, 2000, NCD presented the Justin Dart Freedom Award for the first time to the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. That tradition continues today with the second presentation of the Justin Dart Freedom Award to Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. was born in Paris, France. He graduated from Yale University in 1953 and the University of Virginia School of Law in 1958. He served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant from 1953 to 1955 and in the Army Reserves from 1958 to 1964. He was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in 1962 and was reelected twice. In 1968, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; elected to the U.S. Senate in 1970 and reelected in 1976 and 1982. In 1973, he was appointed to the Senate Watergate Committee and also served as chair and then ranking Republican member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. In 1987, Senator Weicker met with NCD and officially agreed to sponsor what became the Americans with Disabilities Act. He was absolutely crucial in giving the ADA its life. Senator Weicker was one of the disability community's greatest advocates in the Senate. This was in part because Weicker had personal experience with disability raising a son, who had Down Syndrome. For Senator Weicker, however, interest in disability issues stemmed from a broader philosophical and political commitment to protecting the rights of and promoting opportunities for all people. He is a man of very strong principles about the role of government and its responsibility for caring for all people with disabilities. At times Senator Weicker acted as "the conscience of the Senate" to defend the constitutionality of an active Federal Government. Senator Weicker was a fitting congressional contact because he had played a pivotal role in ensuring that NCD continued to be funded in 1983. He was a professor at The George Washington University Law School from 1988 to 1990; and was also president and chief executive officer of Research!America during that same time. In 1990, he became the first Independent to be elected governor of Connecticut. In 1992, he received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for his actions in reforming Connecticut's tax structure. In 1995, he and Barry Sussman coauthored the book, Maverick: A Life in Politics. Senator Weicker is married to Claudia T. Weicker and they are the parents of seven sons, one with a disability. Justin Dart, Jr. For more than four decades, Justin Dart, Jr. served as an advocate for human rights in the United States, Mexico, Japan, Vietnam, Canada, the Netherlands and Germany. He served five gubernatorial, one congressional and five presidential appointments in the area of disability policy. Before the historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, Mr. Dart visited all 50 states at least five times campaigning for ADA's passage as well as the empowerment of people with and without disabilities. He is a former Vice Chairperson of the National Council on Disability. He was a 1998 recipient of the nation's highest civilian award: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1999, the Smithsonian Institution asked for and received his trademark cowboy hat and boots, his pen that was used to sign the ADA, and his Freedom Medal. Mr. Dart played a leading role in the development of and advocacy for national disability, civil rights, and health care policy, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act. He served as Chairperson of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and Chairperson of the Congressional Task Force on the Rights and Empowerment of Americans with Disabilities. Mr. Dart participated in disability policy dialogue through frequent testimony before Congress and numerous meetings with the White House, administration, and congressional staff. He participated in meetings with Presidents Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Clinton, Vice Presidents Bush, Quayle, and Gore, and governors and members of the House and Senate, visiting each Congressional office at least once when the ADA was before Congress. On July 26, 1990, Mr. Dart appeared on the dais with President George H. W. Bush when he signed the Americans with Disabilities Act. Justin Dart died on June 22, 2002, at his home in Washington, DC. Justin significantly advanced the issues of all people with disabilities. National Council on Disability The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting Americans with disabilities. NCD is composed of 15 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. In its 1986 report Toward Independence, NCD first proposed that Congress should enact a civil rights law for people with disabilities. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. NCD's overall purpose is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. NCD is currently working on a series of reports known as Investing in Independence, which interrelate with centerpiece initiatives presented in President Bush's New Freedom Initiative. These reports focus on universal design; consumer directed health care; long-term services and supports; and effective return-to-work strategies.


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