A resolution requesting President George W. Bush, Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, and the Tennessee Congressional Delegation to support an ADA Restoration Act.

WHEREAS, the bipartisan Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990 "to establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability"; and

WHEREAS, unfortunately, the promise of the ADA remains unfulfilled for far too many of America's 56 million citizens with a disability; and

WHEREAS, a number of judicial decisions narrowly interpreting the ADA have weakened the protections the Act was intended to provide, leaving millions of American citizens with disabilities unprotected from disability discrimination; and

WHEREAS, the National Council on Disability and other disability organizations have drafted legislation to restore civil rights protections under the ADA; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that Congress enact, and the President sign into law, an ADA Restoration Act that would restore the original intent of the ADA.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting President George W. Bush, Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, and the Tennessee Congressional Delegation to support an ADA Restoration Act to ensure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for Americans with disabilities.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to President George W. Bush, Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, and to each member of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Vivian Wilhoite