Thornburgh Family Lecture series in Disability Law & Policy presents U.S. Senator from Iowa Tom Harkin
3900 Forbes Avenue · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
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US Senator Tom Harkin
Since first being elected to the U.S. Congress in 1974 and later to the U.S. Senate in 1984, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has led the fight to ensure equality amongst the millions of Americans with disabilities.
Harkin considers the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 his signature legislative achievement. Known as the “Emancipation Proclamation for people with disabilities,” this landmark law protects the civil rights of millions of Americans with physical and mental disabilities. The law has literally changed the landscape of America by requiring accessible buildings and transportation, and workplace accommodations for people with disabilities. Harkin learned firsthand about the challenges facing people with disabilities from his late brother, Frank, who was deaf from an early age. To preserve the intent of the ADA after several court rulings weakened standards, Harkin led efforts to pass the ADA Amendments bill to ensure that all Americans with disabilities are protected from discrimination. It was signed into law in September 2008.
Harkin currently serves as chair or a senior member on several Senate committees.
The Thornburgh Family Lecture Series in Disability Law and Policy
The Thornburgh Family Lecture Series in Disability Law and Policy is sponsored by the Thornburgh Forum for Law and Public Policy. The series was created through the generosity of Dick and Ginny Thornburgh. As 2003 recipients of the Henry B. Betts Award, the Thornburghs donated the proceeds from the award to the University of Pittsburgh to establish this lecture series. The fund has been supplemented by grants from the Office of the Chancellor, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and School of Law.
CLE Information
This course has been approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for One and One-Half (1.5) hours of Substantive credit. No preregistration is required. Pay at the door with a check for $25 made payable to University of Pittsburgh School of Law. For more information regarding CLE, call 412-648-1305.
