Transcript of 
Congressman Sensenbrenner's 
Remarks (PDF)

F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., (Jim), is a Republican Member of Congress representing the Fifth Congressional District of Wisconsin.  He won his race to become a Member of Congress in November of 1978, after serving ten years in the Wisconsin State Legislature. 

In the course of his service, Congressman Sensenbrenner has served the American people by defending vigorously the rights of all Americans, and by working to provide opportunities that allow everyone to be treated equally.  This characteristic is particularly highlighted by his work on behalf of disabled Americans.  In 1990, Congressman Sensenbrenner was one of the original sponsors of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which helped bring down not only the physical barriers, but also the attitudinal walls that exist in almost all aspects of society relative to disabled Americans.  By restoring the full meaning of the phrase “equal protection under the law,” the ADA has worked to transform our nation, resulting in fewer citizens being judged by their physical and mental impairments, and being evaluated more according to their character and qualifications.

This same conviction led to Congressman Sensenbrenner’s co-sponsorship last year of HR 6258, the Americans with Disabilities Act Restoration Act.  This legislation amended the definition of “disability” in the ADA to make it more inclusive, and thus have more of an impact in the lives of disabled Americans. 

Since this bill did not make it to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote, it is expected to be reintroduced this year by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and co-sponsored once again by Congressman Sensenbrenner.

Sensenbrenner/Hoyer Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Restoring Americans with Disabilities Act Protections (PDF)

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