Sen. Harkin, Dedicated Disability Advocate, Retires


After a distinguished 40-year career in the United States Congress, Iowa Senator Tom Harkin bid farewell to family, friends and colleagues on Dec. 12 in a moving speech delivered from the Senate floor.

Harkin, who introduced the Americans with Disabilities Act, has long been a dedicated advocate to all people with disabilities after he witnessed the struggles his deaf brother Frank faced. He currently chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

During the speech, Harkin reminisced about the passage of the ADA. “Not one nickel or dime in the ADA is given to a person with a disability. But we broke down barriers, opened doors of accessibility and accommodation, and said to people with

disabilities — Now go on, follow your dreams, and in the words of the Army motto, ‘be all you can be.’”

The ADA has removed many barriers, but a majority of Americans with disabilities remain unemployed. Harkin called the continued unemployment of the disabled a “blot on our national character.” He touted the benefits that people with disabilities bring to the workplace. “Employers are finding that many times these become their best employees – they are more productive, the hardest working, most reliable workers,” he says. Harkin urged his colleagues to do better and implement policies to help small businesses employ more people with disabilities.

Harkin’s entire speech can be read here.


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Mike vR
Mike vR
9 years ago

Thx Sen. Harkin… It was my pleassure to meet you and discuss disability related issues over dinner here in St. Louis. I hope to cross paths with you again and continue our encouraging dialog. Thanks for beining all that you could be. Your relentless ambassadorship for disability related causes will be missed. Thank you!