Assembly Resolution No. 1405

BY: M. of A. Zebrowski

COMMENDING Terence J. Moakley posthumously upon
the occasion of being inducted into the 2018 New
York State Disability Rights Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that individuals
with disabilities merit our recognition as they realize goals that serve
to lift barriers and expand choices for all persons with disabilities;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Terence J.
Moakley posthumously upon the occasion of being inducted into the 2018
New York State Disability Rights Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Terence J. Moakley, a longtime resident of West Nyack,
Rockland County, spent his life serving as an advocate for people with
disabilities; he will widely be remembered as the man who made New York
City transportation accessible to these individuals; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from St. John's University, Terence J.
Moakley proudly served his country as a member of the United States
Marine Corps during the Vietnam War; while serving stateside, he broke
his neck and was left with quadriplegia; and

WHEREAS, Terence J. Moakley spent two years recuperating at a Bronx
VA hospital, where his fellow patients included Jim Peters, founder of
the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA); Bobbie Muller, Nobel
Peace Prize winner and Vietnam Veterans of America founder; and Ron
Kovic, author of Born on the Fourth of July; and

WHEREAS, Inspired by his friends and with a desire to make the world
a better place for people with disabilities, Terence J. Moakley became a
member of EPVA (now known as the United Spinal Association) and later
joined its staff, eventually holding the title of President; and

WHEREAS, Terence J. Moakley quickly realized that New York City was
not an easy place for persons with disabilities to get around; he could
not get his wheelchair over a curb, board an inaccessible bus or enter
an inaccessible building; Terence brought together a coalition of New
York City disability advocates and fellow Vietnam-era veterans with
disabilities to fight for accessible transportation; and

WHEREAS, Terence J. Moakley served as a co-plaintiff in EPVA's
landmark litigation which resulted in bus and key subway station
accessibility and the creation of the Access-a-Ride program; due to the
tireless efforts of Terence and his colleagues, New York City became the
first major United States city to have a 100 percent accessible bus
service and the first old rail city to agree to retrofit key stations to
make them accessible; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable man also co-founded the Taxis for All
Campaign, which gained access to 50 percent of the city's green and
yellow cabs; the Association for Transportation Instruction to
facilitate ridership and educate transportation providers; and Mobility

Through Access, a coalition of individuals and organizations seeking
access to mass transit; and

WHEREAS, After the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed
in 1990, Terence J. Moakley traveled all over the State of New York,
then, with Paralyzed Veterans of America, all over the country to
explain the ADA; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Terence J. Moakley worked closely with the New
York City Department of Education's Office of Travel Training, which
began as a provider of instruction to students with cognitive
disabilities and expanded to those with physical disabilities after the
passage of the ADA; and

WHEREAS, A legend in the New York City disability community, Terence
J. Moakley died in 2014, at the age of 69; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his esteemed career, Terence J. Moakley served
as a strong voice and inspiration for countless people with disabilities
and their advocates to involve themselves in disability issues; and

WHEREAS, A fearless, persistent advocate for people with
disabilities, Terence J. Moakley was a role model for many who faced
similar obstacles which he had faced and overcome; holding steadfast to
his dream of independence, he accomplished numerous goals and made his
dreams a reality; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such enduring courage and accomplishment are brought to
our attention, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend those
individuals for the edification and emulation of others; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Terence J. Moakley posthumously upon the occasion of being
inducted into the 2018 New York State Disability Rights Hall of Fame;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Terence J. Moakley.