[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 40 (Thursday, April 14, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 14, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF SENATOR DOLE'S MAIDEN SPEECH

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I would like to take a brief time out from 
the debate on the nomination of Judge Barkett to salute our 
distinguished Republican leader, Bob Dole, on the silver anniversary of 
his maiden speech in the Senate.
  On April 14, 1969, the Senator from Kansas delivered a speech that 
was both moving and substantive on the difficulties faced by Americans 
with disabilities. If you read that speech today, you find that it is 
in many ways, still very relevant.
  While it took us 22 years from the date of that speech to enact the 
Americans With Disabilities Act, the speech of the Senator from Kansas 
taught us that no legislation can restore physical ability. He helped 
us view the handicap through the eyes of the individual who copes with 
it every day.
  While the ADA and other Federal programs have been enacted over the 
years since that speech, programs that I have been proud to support 
since I have served in this body, the speech of the Senator from Kansas 
helped us understand that our focus ought to be on people, not 
programs.
  Too often, I believe, we concentrate on the impact of regulations, 
appropriations, legislative changes, or judicial decisions on the 
programs, not on the people. We listen to program administrators, not 
to the individuals who we expect to benefit from these efforts. Senator 
Dole observed in his 1969 speech:

       When more of this emphasis on the individual better 
     influences the agencies and professions dealing with the 
     handicapped, I believe we can begin to open new, more 
     meaningful vistas for more persons with handicaps.

  In my view, this advice for all of us involved in disability policy 
is as good today as it was in 1969.
  I congratulate the distinguished Republican leader on the anniversary 
of his maiden speech, an occasion that has special significance for 
anyone who has served in this body.
  I congratulate him for being an advocate for persons with 
disabilities all those years he has served in the Senate and for being 
one of the principal reasons why the Americans With Disabilities Act 
passed. There are very few people in my life that I have as much 
respect for. But I have to say I certainly have it for the 
distinguished Senator from Kansas, our leader, who everyone here knows 
is one of the all-time great Senators.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent I may speak out of 
order for not to exceed 5 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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