Complex problems. Staying focused on our longterm interests and longterm objectives and outcomes. The imperfect outcomes may be the most we can expect, working our way toward the Higher Ground of possible solutions. Leveraging all aspects of our power, we must multiply and enhance our efforts by working through coalitions of common interest like nato. This is in fact our future. Just as we have done since world war ii, but it now may be more essential than ever before. While these challenges are not americas responsibilities alone, they will demand americas continued engagement. No other nation, no other nation has the will, the power, the cast the, he, and a network of alliances to lead International Community in addressing them. However, sustaining our leadership will increasingly depend not only on the extent of an great power, but in appreciation of its limits and a wide appointment of our influence. We must not fall prey to the notion of american decline. That is a false choice. A
Will be ablemark to travel anywhere and have a greater likelihood that they have the access to fulfill their godgiven potential whether it is in a job, business, advocacy and they will be able to achieve. American businesses who already lead the world in terms of accessibility standards, that will be the standard that others adopt so that the Football Player from rutgers who has this able tolchair will be travel other places and will likely be having the other access. That is why the ratification of the treaty expands our reach and advocacy not simply by reflection of looking at with the United States does but its advocates. Its a very good question that has been raised and it deserves a full answer. Chairman, could i offer a few cardin and we will get you to work it in. Senator cardin i will try to leave you time. From the written statement which i think is a very appropriate. You should not be so proud to think that we could not learn from other countries about how to meet the challe
Guests. Among them, congressman tony coelho, who has been a longtime champion of the rights of the disabled. Let me also recognize ann cody, representing the u. S. On three paralympic teams. She was also nominated to be the Vice President of the International Paralympic committee. She understands it is not just enough to make the stadium accessible. You need to make surrounding restaurants and businesses accessible, and we thank you for being here or your advocacy as well. I also want to recognize a leader in the Disability Community in macedonia. She is here to learn about transportation and independent living systems, and having public standards allows her to live in the United States, and she hopes to make that a reality at home as well. We thank you for your work, and we welcome you here. And i hope that what we do here will help you in your efforts. Its clear what we are here to do. Ratifying this treaty will help in the effort to give every disabled person the opportunity to live
Certain rules of the state department they are not agreeing with. Not ratifying the convention does not remove the ability to object to the formation of rules of customary or International Either ran likewise, with effect to u. S. Courts, it reduces the likelihood that a u. S. Court would find there to be a rule of customary International Law but to answer your question, the ability to have an american to nerve on to serve on the committee and the ability to actually engage with the committee likely affects the committees work and may serve to actually ensure that those adopted are consistent with the american and option interpretation. Thank you. Its great to have Tammy Duckworth here, an american hero. She is in a wheelchair and in 1990, we passed the ada to make sure that there were ramps for those wheelchairs everywhere in our country. It would be great if she could go anywhere in the world as well and know that we are moving in that same direction. Thank you so much for your servi