[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 ANNIVERSARY OF SENATOR DOLE'S FIRST SENATE SPEECH

  Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate my colleague 
from Kansas on this special remembrance of a speech that is no less 
compelling today than it was a quarter of a century ago. In choosing 
the topic for his first speech in this body, Senator Dole elected to 
discuss an issue of tremendous importance to him personally and to all 
of us as U.S. citizens. Issues relating to persons with disabilities--
whether physical, mental, or emotional--remain a great challenge to our 
Government, to businesses and to families, and we have certainly come a 
long way in many of these areas since 1969.
  Senator Dole laid out a number of his concerns with the state of 
persons with disabilities in his maiden speech, and he has kept those 
thoughts in sight throughout his career. His personal commitment and 
dedication to this issue is felt from communities in Kansas to points 
across this country, and is evident in his work with the Dole 
Foundation and here in the U.S. Senate. He has always approached the 
complex challenges of disability with thoroughness and depth, as well 
as understanding and compassion, and we owe him a great debt of 
gratitude for his leadership on this important issue.
  As the Senator from Pennsylvania, Senator Specter, mentioned, this 
issue in particular has been mentioned by many who spoke. There are 
many other aspects of Senator Dole's leadership that have gone on and 
beyond this issue, but this is one he has cared about in a very 
particular and personal way.
  It certainly is a tribute to Senator Dole as well as, I would 
suggest, a very gracious gesture that the President of the United 
States came to call on Senator Dole today on this special anniversary.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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