Dear Friends: 
I have always been inspired by the state motto of Kansas -­ "To the Stars through Difficulties." Our nation devoted itself to ensuring that people with disabilities have the opportunity to reach for the stars, to develop their fullest potential and to enter the mainstream of society. When Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we not only outlawed discrimination against people with disabilities, but also ensured that we all have the opportunity to live lives of self determination and independence. 

President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA is an important beginning, giving us not only a framework from which to work, but also a mandate from which to proceed. However, to reinforce the goals of the ADA and move disability policy forward into the next century, it is critical to maintain a solid partnership between the disability and business communities as well as the public and private sectors. Working together we can ensure that every American citizen will be provided the access and opportunity to be a part of all that society offers.
 
Bi-partisan support in Congress with cooperative efforts from people with disabilities, business leaders and concerned American citizens made this historic legislation possible. As a result this new law will ban discrimination in employment, public accommodations, transportation and telecommunications. Most importantly, skilled qualified workers will become productive contributing members of society. Tax users will become tax payers and all Americans will benefit from an all inclusive workforce and a stronger economy. 

Additionally, if we are to meet the reality of an ADA world, careful consideration must be given to updating other existing disability programs. Issues such as the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, creating incentives within the Social Security Program and exploring innovative approaches to personal assistance care will undergo systematic Congressional consideration if we are to fulfill ADA's promise. Clearly, if we are going to make our dream of equal opportunity for people with disabilities a reality, it is imperative that disability initiatives are cut from the same cloth as the ADA. 

To be sure, there has been progress. But all the progress including recent enactment of the ADA, is only a reminder of how much more remains to be done. Fulfilling the mandates of the ADA will require all of us to adopt a new attitude and seek opportunity to use the productive capacity of people with disabilities. The technical ingenuity and generous spirit of American business tells me that the promise of ADA will be realized.