September 10, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 144 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MARCA BRISTO

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2019

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable 
life of Marca Bristo. Marca was a powerful leader in the disability 
movement, the founder of Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago and co-
founder of the National Council on Independent Living.
  My husband Bob Creamer and I are heartbroken to lose a precious 
friend of more than four decades. Our country has lost an unparalleled 
fighter for the rights of people with disabilities. Our love goes out 
to our dear friend, Marca's husband Bob Kettlewell, their children and 
new granddaughter.
  Marca will go down in history as one of the most influential leaders 
of the disability rights and independent living movements. Because of 
Marca, countless people have been freed from confining living 
arrangements and liberated to live independently in communities. She 
was the founder and long-time president of the premier advocacy 
organization for people with disabilities, Chicago-based Access Living. 
Marca played a central role in the passage of the landmark Americans 
with Disabilities Act, and she was an important advisor to Presidents 
Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. She served in many major leadership 
positions in government and beyond, including broad coalitions of 
progressive organizations like Illinois Citizen Action. She 
relentlessly took on and often beat down obstacles that prevented 
people with disabilities from living full and productive lives. To her 
last breath, she was reaching out to elected officials and leaders, 
promoting a justice agenda. In fact, a week before she died, both my 
husband and I had serious strategic discussions with Marca where she 
gave us clear instructions about what needed to be done.
  Marca was not just a disability rights leader but a fierce fighter 
for civil rights across the board--a champion of tearing down barriers 
and winning opportunity for all. We can never thank Marca enough for 
opening our eyes to barriers that were, and in too many cases, still 
are holding back people with disabilities. We will always hear her 
voice in our ears, pushing us to do more, and we will always heed her 
call to the best of our abilities.

                          ____________________