FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1995                            (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
                CHIEF OF DISABILITY RIGHTS SECTION
   RECEIVED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD


     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- John L. Wodatch, Chief of the Disability
Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, today received the
Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award for his
outstanding work in the disability rights field and the Americans
With Disabilities Act (ADA), in particular.  Under Wodatch's
direction, Disability Rights Section pursued an energetic program
of enforcement, currently investigating more than 1,000 Title III
complaints.  Litigation efforts and complaint resolution through
formal and informal settlements have resulted in the removal of
physical barriers in  a wide variety of settings, including
professional training courses and licensing, hotels, restaurants,
theaters, health care facilities, retail stores, private schools,
car rentals, health clubs, and banks.
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