Washington, July 29 – “We want every opportunity for those with disabilities to have the opportunity to live the American Dream,” Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) said during a rally hosted by the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) on Capitol Hill Tuesday.
“We celebrate those who went before us and opened up so many more opportunities: early intervention and IDEA [Individuals with Disabilities Education Act], and the opportunity to go to school but, you know what, there’s more work to be done. We want to live independently, we want to work.”
Rodgers, who has a child with Down Syndrome, thanked the disability community for reaching out to her and supporting her. “I can testify today I’m a better person, I’m a better mom, I’m a better legislator because of Cole’s influence on my life,” Rodgers said.
In a piece on CNN, Rodgers explained that people with disabilities can be loyal employees that benefit their employers. “In case studies conducted by major job creators like Walgreens, employees with disabilities thrived in the workplace and were actually described as more dependable, passionate, loyal, dedicated and efficient than their peers.”
“Solving the problem requires people imagining what’s possible and forming innovative policies and programs to make it happen. More important, we need to give those with disabilities a chance.”
Read the full transcript of Cathy McMorris Rodger’s remarks at the NCIL rally here:
Thank you for being here to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Those who worked so hard to get that act passed 25 years ago. You know, I come from Washington state, the other Washington, and I am very proud to have with me on stage today. Come on up here Nate. So Nate is my intern in the office. He’s with AAP. He’s also from Washington state and you know what I think it is so important for those with disabilities to be given an opportunity to live every aspect of life, including working on Capitol Hill in a member’s congressional office. So let’s here it for Nate. (cheering)
Andy mentioned that eight years ago we celebrated the birth of our little guy Cole who was born with that extra 21st chromosome, and, you know what, it wasn’t ever the news I though we’d receive, but I can testify today I’m a better person, I’m a better mom, I’m a better legislator because of Cole’s influence on my life. (Cheering)
And I was welcomed by the disability community. I am so grateful for so many from around this country who reached out to me, and said, you know what, that little guy is going to have a positive impact on you and on America, and he is. Because I kind of feel like it is our turn to carry the baton, right? We celebrate those who went before us and opened up so many more opportunities: early intervention and IDEA [Individuals with Disabilities Education Act], and the opportunity to go to school but, you know what, there’s more work to be done. We want to live independently, we want to work, we want every opportunity for those with disabilities to have the opportunity to live the American Dream.
So thank you for being here. Thanks for what you’re doing. You’re making a difference. You’re helping carry that baton. God bless you!
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