[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 16, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IMPRESSIVE LEADERSHIP BY THE WORLD COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, half a billion people throughout 
the world have disabilities, and 85 percent of them live in poverty. In 
many countries, disability can be a barrier to the many aspects of life 
that those of us without disabilities often take for granted. It has 
been 15 years since the United Nations World Programme of Action 
Concerning Disabled Persons was adopted to improve the lives of 
citizens with disabilities in their nations. As a result, many 
countries are responding to the United Nations challenge and doing more 
to help citizens with disabilities live fuller and more productive 
lives.
  In 1996, the World Committee on Disability, an organization dedicated 
to supporting the U.N. Programme, initiated an annual award named for 
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to honor nations that make 
significant progress toward meeting the United Nations goals. On 
September 15, 1996, the first FDR International Disability Award went 
to President Kim Young Sam of South Korea. The award is a bust of FDR 
and a $50,000 donation to a Korean non-governmental disability 
organization, and it recognizes South Korea's impressive strides in 
improving the lives of its citizens with disabilities. South Korea has 
taken steps to legislate needed protections and to provide physical and 
employment rehabilitation services. Buildings, education, and 
employment are being made accessible to those with disabilities. 
President Kim is also waging a public awareness campaign to involve 
more nondisabled South Koreans in the lives of those with disabilities.
  I commend South Korea for the progress it is making. The 1996 award 
is a great honor for that country, and an example for other nations. 
Already, President Kim has created a fellowship fund to provide 
assistance to 10 outstanding Koreans with disabilities each year, and 
other nations are following South Korea's leadership.
  This international award is also a reminder that there is still much 
more to do to ensure that persons with disabilities have the 
opportunity to become independent and productive citizens and lead 
fulfilling lives. I commend the World Committee on Disability for its 
leadership. I look forward to this year's award and to continuing to 
make worldwide progress on this extremely important issue.

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