07 LC 18
6063
House
Resolution 144
By:
Representatives Cooper of the
41st,
Burkhalter of the
50th,
Lewis of the
15th,
Walker of the
107th,
and Millar of the
79th
A
RESOLUTION
Honoring
and commending the life and advocacy of family caregivers, especially mothers
who are taking care of their children with developmental disabilities; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS,
families are the core unit of society, and advancing their quality of life and
power to control their destinies is consistent with long-established
constitutional principles of family autonomy and personal liberty;
and
WHEREAS,
strengthening the self-sufficiency of Georgia's families and helping them
protect their vulnerable children by being a resource to their families will
make for a stronger Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
raising a child with a disability is a lifelong commitment that often has
increased financial costs, physical and emotional stress, and disruptions in
family life; and
WHEREAS,
children with disabilities are more likely to live with single parents,
especially their mothers, than other children; and
WHEREAS,
mothers spend large amounts of time providing health care at home for their
children each week that includes transportation to specialists, doctor
appointments, dressing, care of feeding or breathing equipment, and advocating
for inclusion in school and work; and
WHEREAS,
61 percent of Americans with developmental disabilities live with their families
and over 17, 000 Georgians with developmental disabilities live with caregivers
over the age of 60; and
WHEREAS,
home and community based care, as compared to institutional care, has been shown
to enhance the sense of dignity, autonomy, and choice for individuals with
disabilities; and
WHEREAS,
no parent should have to commit their child to live in an institution or a
nursing home when they can live in the community with the good family or in
their own home with community support; and
WHEREAS,
because of the advocacy efforts of parents, especially mothers, in the last 100
years, today's expectation for people with disabilities is that they enjoy the
opportunity to live independently, benefit from their own self-determination,
make choices, contribute to society, and experience full integration and
inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational
mainstream of American society; and
WHEREAS,
in the 1930s parents of children with disabilities began forming support groups
so that they could work together to improve the lives of their children;
and
WHEREAS,
in 1963 President Kennedy's Panel on Mental Retardation recommended that local
communities work with federal and state agencies to provide community based
services; and
WHEREAS,
in 1974 President Nixon issued Executive Order 11776, which reaffirmed our
country's commitment to returning over 60,000 individuals from institutions to
community living; and
WHEREAS,
in 1990 President Bush's passage of the Americans with Disability Act prohibited
discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, public services,
accommodations, and in telecommunications; and
WHEREAS,
in 1999 the Supreme Court in its
Olmstead
decision further affirmed that states are required to follow the ADA's
"integration mandate" in long-term community services and supports;
and
WHEREAS,
families who care and support their sons and daughters with disabilities deserve
commendation for their tireless work on behalf of the people of
Georgia.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body join in honoring the valuable work, tireless efforts, and unending
self-sacrifice of these families.