Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 97.djvu/1556

 97 STAT. 1524 CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—JULY 27, 1983 - J^iy27, 1983 UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS [H. Con. Res. 39] Whereas a new era in recognition of human rights and universal respect for these rights has begun; Whereas the United Nations General Assembly has declared 1983 through 1992 as the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons; Whereas the United States has made great strides during the last decade in improving the lives of thirty-five million American citizens with physical and mental disabilities; Whereas there is still much to be done to open doors to the full participation and equality of disabled persons in society through- out the world; Whereas handicapped individuals should be able to participate fully in the mainstream of society through education, employment and community living opportunities; Whereas the United States recognizes the need for further progress in strengthening public understanding and awareness of the needs and aspirations of disabled persons; Whereas there is hope that this spirit of carrying out the goals of the International and National Years in 1981 and 1982 will continue throughout this decade; Whereas a framework for national action has been established by these previous initiatives and the improvement of programs for the disabled over the last decade; and Whereas further progress should be made in the United States toward achieving the following long-term goals of and for disabled persons promoted during the International Year of Disabled Per- sons: (1) expanded educational opportunity; (2) improved access to housing, buildings, and transportation; (3) expanded employment opportunity; (4) expanded participation in recreational, social, and cultural activities; (5) expanded and strengthened rehabilitation programs and facilities; (6) purposeful application of biomedical research aimed at conquering major disabling conditions; (7) reduction in the incidence of disability by expanded accident and disease prevention; (8) expanded application of technology to mini- mize the effects of disability; and (9) expanded international exchange of information and experience to benefit all disabled persons: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that the President should take all steps within his authority to implement, within the United States, the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992), as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 3, 1982. SEC. 2. The President should report to the Congress annually during the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons on the plans developed by the executive branch in accordance with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 37/53 to implement, within the United States, the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons and on the steps taken pursuant to those plans. SEC. 3. The Clerk of the House shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the President! Agreed to July 27, 1983. ..;. ,^„..

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