President Obama celebrated the signing of “Rosa’s Law” at an East Room ceremony honoring of 9-year-old Rosa Marcellino, the Maryland girl with Down syndrome who was its inspiration. The law ends the use of the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” in federal health, education and labor laws. “It’s so inspiring to have her here,” the president said, looking over at Rosa.

“The most important thing about Rosa’s Law is respect,” said Paul Marcellino, Rosa’s father. “For all her peers, all her friends. Everybody who she’s around. They won’t be using that word to describe my daughter anymore. That’s the main thing.”

A sampling of coverage:

• ABC News names Rosa Marcellino its “Person of the Week.” The piece, with video, is accompanied by a string of vitriolic reader comments criticizing the law and its intent.
• Obama praises Maryland girl who inspired new law — Baltimore Sun
• Sen. Mikulski joins inspiration for Rosa’s law at White House Ceremony — Capital News Service

This entry was posted on Monday, October 11th, 2010 at 7:14 pm and is filed under language, law, NOT2BEMISSED, Obama administration, R-word. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.