SCR 32 seeks to honor the life and legacy of Justin Dart Jr., a nationally renowned disability rights advocate often referred to as the “father of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).” The resolution directs the Texas Facilities Commission to name the new transit amenity center located at 207 W. 14th Street in the Capitol Complex as the “Lead On! Transit Amenity,” commemorating Dart’s iconic advocacy slogan and his lifelong commitment to civil rights for individuals with disabilities.
Born in 1930, Dart contracted polio in 1948, which resulted in paralysis and reliance on a wheelchair. After graduating with degrees from the University of Houston, Dart built a successful business career before transitioning into public service and disability advocacy. He held several influential roles at both the state and federal levels, including inaugural chair of the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and vice chair of the National Council on Disability under President Reagan. Most notably, Dart played a critical role in the development and national campaign for the ADA, which was signed into law in 1990.
The resolution highlights Dart’s national tour to build support for the ADA, during which he visited every U.S. state multiple times, often addressing crowds in his trademark cowboy hat and boots. His legacy includes service on numerous disability rights organizations, and in 1998, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Dart passed away in 2002 at the age of 71. By naming the transit amenity after Dart and his signature phrase “Lead On!,” the Texas Legislature aims to honor his enduring impact on public policy and accessibility rights for Americans with disabilities.