AAPD
Co-Sponsors Events in Conjunction with the Democratic and Republican
National Conventions
It is Critical that Both Parties Incorporate
Disability Rights Issues into their Platforms and Outreach.
Justin Dart encouraged everyone to “get
into politics as if your life depends on it, because it does.” July
26, 2004 marked the 14th anniversary of the passage of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To celebrate, and in
conjunction with the two major parties’ national conventions
this summer, AAPD and 16 additional national organizations
held events at which to honor public officials who have demonstrated,
with the legislation and actions, that they are disability
rights champions.
These two events were opportunities for AAPD and
the co-sponsors to thank public servants and elected figures,
past and present, for their dedication to the needs and concerns
of people with disabilities, and to present them with “Lead
On!” Awards.
The ADA Award Ceremony and Celebration
was held in Boston at WGBH’s studios on July 26.
Photo
gallery for the Boston event.
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“I will keep this award as a reminder to me that we in
the Attorney General’s office can do better, and we will do better. And, if we
work together, we can take this whole effort and this whole movement to the next
level. I’m absolutely committed to doing that with you!” Massachusetts Attorney
General Tom Reilly upon accepting a “Lead On!” award from AAPD at the July 26th
event in Boston, in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention.
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The Lead On Award Ceremony and Celebration
of Progress in Disability Rights was held on September 1 at Time
Warner Corporation in New York City.
Photo
gallery for the New York event.
 |
“During my time in the Senate, I’ve been proud to work with the organizations
represented here to champion the rights of people with disabilities. I look
forward to continuing our march forward, to continuing to work to make progress
to ensure that Americans with disabilities achieve their full potential, because
that is what being an American is all about.” Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) upon
accepting a “Lead On!” award at the September 1st event in New York City, in
conjunction with the Republican National Convention.
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The ADA Award Ceremony and
Celebration was held in Boston at WGBH’s studios on
July 26. Honorees were:
The Honorable Tony Coelho
Senator Mark Dayton (MN)
Senator Christopher Dodd (CT)
Representative Lane Evans (IL)
Senator Tom Harkin (IA)
Representative Steny H. Hoyer (MD)
Senator Edward Kennedy (MA)
State Representative Thomas P. Kennedy (MA)
Representative Jim Langevin (RI)
Representative Ed Markey (MA)
Representative Nancy Pelosi (CA)
Representative Earl Pomeroy (ND)
Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly
Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL)
Representative Bobby Scott (VA)
Representative John Tierney (MA)
The Lead On Award Ceremony
and Celebration of Progress in Disability Rights was held on
September 1 at Time Warner Corporation in New York City. Honorees
were:
New York City Mayor Michael
R. Bloomberg
Senator Thad Cochran (MS)
Senator Susan Collins (ME)
Senator Bob Dole
Senator Chuck Grassley (IA)
Senator John McCain (AZ)
New York Governor George Pataki
Representative Jim Ryun (KS)
Representative Pete Sessions (TX)
Representative John Shimkus (IL)
Senator Robert Simmons (CT)
Senator Arlen Specter (PA)
New York State Senator Nick Spano
Senator John Sununu (NH)
Representative James Walsh (NY)
Representative C. W. Bill Young (FL)
AAPD extends its most sincere
gratitude to Time Warner and WGBH for hosting these two events!
