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Pelosi Address at National Council on Independent Living Rally

July 13, 2005

Pelosi Address at National Council on Independent Living Rally

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke this afternoon at a rally held by the National Council on Independent Living on the grounds of the Capitol. Below are her remarks:

"As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we must reaffirm the simple premise - and the law of the land - that every American has the right to live independently and to fully participate in all aspects of our society - business, academic - in all aspects of our communities.

"To reaffirm what my friends from California have known for a long time - in our community, and in our society, we respect every person. When it comes to persons with disabilities, we respect them and you for what you can do, rather than judge you for what you cannot.

"This is vital to us as we go forward now in the critical fight on Social Security and Medicare.

"I want to thank NCIL. I want to thank you all for taking such a strong stand against privatization. No private accounts! Take private accounts off the table!

"Be assured that Whip Steny Hoyer and I and the people that we work with pledge that Democrats will not turn a guaranteed benefit of Social Security for people with disabilities into a guaranteed gamble

"Because of your advocacy, our nation will recognize how bad the Medicaid cuts are. That the Administration is proposing them is unconscionable, and we will do everything to make sure that these cuts do not become the law. Thank you for your advocacy in that regard as well.

"With our joint efforts, we will work to improve Medicaid by eliminating institutional bias and extending home and community services. Democrats believe that our nation must develop a long-term care policy that ensures individual choice.

"For many of us, this issue has been a lifetime of involvement. When I was chair of the California Democratic Party 25 years ago, one year was the 'Year of the Disabled,' as proclaimed by the Pope at that time. And we established in 1981 the first Disabilities Caucus in the California Democratic Party.

"And for these many years, we have learned from you in a formal and specific way about how we can be great advocates, and how your advocacy can make a difference in public policy, how your advocacy could make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities in our country."