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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Marca Bristo, who passed away on
4September 8, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Marca Bristo was committed to her work as a
6disability rights activist and founded Chicago's Access Living
7at the age of 23, only two years after a diving accident that
8left her paralyzed from the chest down; nearly 40 years after
9its founding, Access Living has continued to fulfill its
10mission to break down systemic barriers to create a stronger,
11more inclusive society while igniting disability power and
12pride; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Marca Bristo retired as the CEO of Access Living a
14month prior to her death, showing her dedication to the
15organization and to those living with disabilities; one of her
16biggest achievements as CEO was helping to author the American
17with Disabilities Act (ADA) legislation that granted civil
18rights to people with disabilities; after the ADA was signed
19into law in 1990, her advocacy never stopped; she continued to
20assist in passing many social reforms, including requiring all
21televisions to have closed-captioned decoders and creating the
22first fair housing program in the country to address disability
23discrimination; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Marca Bristo's efforts have been nationally and
2internationally recognized; she earned prestigious
3appointments and awards for her unwavering determination to
4fight for equality and inclusivity for the disabled population;
5her legacy will continue to exist through Access Living and the
6many disability rights leaders who will continue to advocate
7for the rights and freedoms she diligently pursued; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Marca Bristo's death has left a void in the hearts
9of all who knew her, especially her sister, Gail, her husband,
10Bob Kettlewell, her children, Sam and Madeline, her son-in-law,
11Pierce Nahigyah, and her granddaughter, Beatrix; therefore, be
12it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
15Marca Bristo and extend our sincere condolences to her family,
16friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18presented to the family of Marca Bristo as an expression of our
19deepest sympathy.