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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
  
 
 
 
SR0720- 2 -LRB101 14255 ALS 63128 r

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.