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REMARKS by JUDGE HUGHEY WALKER My name is Judge Hughey Walker. I come from Georgetown, South Carolina. I am the vice chairperson of the National Council on Disability, the independent federal agency that first proposed and later drafted the original Americans with Disabilities Act. We know about disability and we are deeply concerned about the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the Americans with Disabilities Act. I am proud to be here with you today. And I am proud to be an American. The United States of America is a great nation. But embedded in our nation's legacy of greatness are intolerance, indifference and neglect. Throughout America's history different groups of people have had their rights ripped away and chipped away. We will not allow this to happen to us. We are here today to send a message to the Court, that people with disabilities have civil rights just like everyone. We will not allow anyone to keep us down. America cannot afford to discard its citizens with disabilities. We must be optimistic that the Court will understand the gravity of this situation. However, if the Court does the wrong thing, we will be back, again and again. We will continue to provide leadership to ensure that Americans with disabilities enjoy the same civil rights protections as everyone else. We are not second-class citizens. We are in fact created equally. Our struggle to get an Americans with Disabilities Act was not an easy one. The ADA opened many doors for people with disabilities. We cannot and will not let anyone close those doors in our faces! The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it may never forget what we do here. We highly resolve today that our efforts shall not be in vain. We are in fact a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We must lift every voice until the earth and heaven ring with the harmonies of liberty. We will prevail. We shall overcome. Thank you HOME | FAQs | NEWSROOM | SITE MAP | FEDERAL AGENCIES | RESOURCES |
