[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. DODD. Mr. President, it was 25 years ago today that one of our 
colleagues gave a maiden speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate. I 
speak of our distinguished friend and colleague, the minority leader, 
Senator Bob Dole.
  On that day, Mr. President, Senator Dole chose as the subject of his 
remarks the issue of disabilities, and the problems that people face in 
this country who were afflicted with various disabilities.
  I rise this afternoon to join with others to pay tribute to our 
friend from Kansas. We have our differences from time to time, as we 
all do in this body on various issues. But it was that speech and his 
commitment to this issue, bringing a unique perspective, obviously, of 
someone who could speak about this issue not in the abstract but in 
very real and personal terms because of his own affliction as a result 
of a war-related injury.
  Twenty-five years ago people who suffered from disabilities faced 
mountains of obstacles in order to become part of the mainstream in our 
society. Bob Dole gave a speech on that April 14, 1969, and raised the 
awareness of people in this body. As a result of actions taken by 
Congress during this past quarter of a century, today the plight of our 
fellow citizens who suffer from disabilities has been significantly 
improved.
  A great deal of that effort, a great deal of that progress is due to 
Bob Dole. I wanted to join with others today in recognizing that 
landmark of a quarter of a century ago, to commend him for it and to 
wish him well. I know he will continue his fight on behalf of people 
who have suffered from disabilities, be they physical or otherwise, to 
see to it that every American in this country has an opportunity to 
make a contribution to the maximum of his or her potential and 
possibilities.
  Bob Dole made a great speech on that day. His service and his words 
on behalf of his constituency have made us a richer, a stronger, and a 
better country. I commend him for it.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I thank my good friend and colleague from 
Connecticut. When I made comments this morning, I talked about the 
efforts by Senator Dodd and Senator Jeffords as far as special 
education is concerned. We made a promise years ago to fund that. We 
have not done it yet. We have to find a way to do that because many 
people expect us to keep our promise.
  But I thank him for his kind comments. I also thank the others of my 
colleagues on both sides who have made statements today, particularly 
the President of the United States who was gracious enough to come to a 
little luncheon we had in my office. I thank very much Tony Coelho and 
Justin Dart, the former chairman of the President's Commission on 
Disabilities, and the present chairman. I thank everyone who has 
participated. And I do believe, not because of anything I may have 
done, but I do think there has been a big, big change the past 25 years 
and there has finally been a recognition that disabled Americans can 
fit into the mainstream. It has been in large part because of the 
strong bipartisan efforts made in Congress. I thank my colleagues.

                          ____________________