January 25, 1991 TO: Senator Dole FROM: Mo West SUBJECT: Compeer Tribute The Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas is holding a Tribute Dinner in your honor to raise funds for an extended Wichita Compeer program called "Compeer for Kids". Compeer is a volunteer program designed to match an individual with mental illness together with a volunteer friend with whom he/she can visit and confide in. This program has proven to be very effective to date. In 1989, Compeer received President Bush's Voluntary Action Award. Last year, the Wichita Compeer chapter successfully matched 100 volunteers with adult clients. Given the Compeer's success rate, the organization would like to expand the Sedgwick County program to children with mental illness who experience depression, rejection, anxiety or frequent school problems. "Compeer for Kids" is essential in bridging the gap between state hospitals, families and local treatment centers in developing support systems. The Tribute Dinner proceeds will be utilized to provide critical start-up funds for the new program. You have been asked to speak for approximately 20 minutes on the Compeer program and the need for inclusion of children with mental illness. In addition, the audience would like to hear about current issues, i.e. an update on the Persian Gulf War. REMARKS OF SENATOR ROBERT J. DOLE AT THE BOB DOLE TRIBUTE DINNER FOR COMPEER JANUARY 25, 1990 WICHITA, KANSAS I am extremely honored to be here tonight in celebrating the outstanding success of the Sedgwick County Compeer Program. It is well known that the Kansas Compeer Program is one of the leading community based volunteer programs in the country. I know it-­the President and Mrs. Bush know it --and the people of Kansas know it. Not only do we recognize your excellence, we are also proud to be associated with you. Although I am humbled by this dinner, it is tribute enough to be Compeer's Honorary Chairman and to have my name associated with this impressive program and its staff. Tonight's Tribute Dinner should really honor the dedicated and caring volunteers and their friends who are the heart and soul of this organization. As a nation, we recognize the importance of standing by and providing support to our young men and women in the Persian Gulf. And as a nation, we also have a duty to provide support and friendship to those Americans with mental health conditions who also confront daily challenges. Many of these men and women suffer from alienation, isolation and loneliness. It is our duty to stand by these Americans as they battle to manage their illness and attempt to live an independent and dignified life in their communities. Compeer volunteers, who live and work in the community, serve their neighbors with mental health conditions, not paternalistically, but as committed and supportive friends. I recognize and remember the importance of that friendship and support. As I was undergoing rehabilitation following my service in World War II, I needed the support and friendship of my community. And they responded! The people of Russell, Kansas did not forget me, and the people of Wichita, Kansas have not forgetting their own. As we all know, community support and involvement is one key to successfully responding to those who require assistance during difficult and trying times. While most people think of these individuals and their friends as patients and mental health professionals, those of us associated with the Compeer program know that the participants are friends. Furthermore, the relationship is not based on a medical model, but rather mutual respect and understanding. Hopefully, Compeer's community based programs will continue to grow and prosper, providing all individuals access to the mainstream of society. Speaking of access to the mainstream of society, 1990 was an exciting year given the historic passage of comprehensive civil rights protection for people with disabilities. Of course, I am speaking about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its strong mandate to redress discrimination in employment, public accommodations, transportation and public services. No doubt about it, the ADA is landmark law, providing Americans with a strong mandate to move disability policy into the 21st century. Nevertheless, it is imperative that we keep working together to guarantee that the letter of the law is implemented and enforced. Simply requiring a mandate does not remove the attitudinal barriers that continue to plague our society. Besides the outstanding contributions made by all in attendance here tonight, you are advocates of change and innovation. The creation of "Compeer for Kids" is proof positive that the Sedgwick County program is forward thinking and futuristic. You possess the ability and expertise to educate not only the general public, but also to advocate on behalf of our country's most precious resource --our children. Furthermore, your program serves to ease the fears and misunderstanding of mental health conditions. Coincendentally, Congress also expanded mental health services for children. As the old adage goes "An ounce of care is worth a pound of prevention." Addressing problems early on is sound policy and "Compeer for Kids" is a program to be emulated nationwide. At the very least our national mental health policy should reflect a coordination of community services and family supports. This is something Compeer has known and practiced all along. At the Federal level, we've taken steps forward but we have a long way to go. People with mental health conditions should have available to them a full network of accessible and appropriate mental health services and, as needed, other supportive services and benefits such as housing, residential services, employment, rehabilitation, income support, education, social services, so that each person receives the treatment, training and support necessary to enable them to function at their highest level. Gainful employment is key to integration in the mainstream. To this end. I established the Dole Foundation to support programs that share my belief in the importance of competitive employment. That is where you dedication becomes important preparing your clients to take an active and participatory role contributing to the workforce as workers and taxpayers. In closing, I want to again commend you and all of those associated with Compeer. It's only natural that a program like Compeer would take hold here in America's heartland, becoming one of largest Compeer Programs in the United States. Helping those who are less fortunate is very much alive in Kansas. That spirit is alive because of people like you, who recognize that one-to­one caring and companionship can make a big difference in a troubled life. My sincere thanks to all of you who have given of your time and energy to make Compeer a success. With your help, " Compeer for Kids" can mean a brighter tomorrow for young people who might otherwise be without hope. 01/23/ 91 14:36 PRESS OFFICE 001 (Handwritten) ATTN: MO SALUTE TO BOB DOLE AND "COMPEER FOR KIDS" January 25, 1990 Wichita, Kansas Thank you. I am honored to be here this evening, and thank you for this beautiful sculpture. I am especially proud to receive a sculpture which was completed by Babs Mellor, an outstanding Kansas artist. I read in the Wichita Eagle this week that Babs has been up to her elbows in clay recently, putting the finishing touches on this sculpture. And I can see why she's earned such an outstanding regional and national reputation. This award means a great deal to me, because, as you know, proceeds from today's reception will go directly to the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, as they kick-off their "Compeer for Children" program. As you all know, Compeer, Inc., is a non-profit organization that matches caring, trained volunteers with mental health clients in one-to-one friendship relationships. There are now over 100 operational Compeer Programs in 37 states. And the fastest growing Compeer program in the country is right here in Sedgwick County. The concept of people helping people is a Kansas tradition. In home town of Russell, you didn't need to ask for help, people were just there, willing to give. We cared for each other, and 01/23/91 14:37 PRESS OFFICE 002 still do. And that caring has made each of us a better person. Compeer is applying that same concept to working with persons who genuinely need our help. Many individuals recovering from mental illness are alone, trapped in a world where they find it hard to trust anyone. Compeer volunteers allow them to escape from that world. There is someone to talk with, someone they can trust. Although I'm the one receiving this sculpture, it really honors the dedicated and caring volunteers who are the heart and soul of Compeer. And this year those volunteers and the Mental Health Association, are expanding Compeer's programs to include children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders. Estimates are that there are approximately 4,500 children between ages 5 and 18 in the Sedgwick County area in need of the mental health services offered by Compeer. The goal of both Compeer programs is to ensure that each person receives the treatment, training, and support necessary to enable them to reach as high, and go as far, as their talents will take them. 01/23/91 14:37 PRESS OFFICE 003 This was also the goal of landmark legislation which was signed into law last year--the American Disabilities Act. I was proud to play a leadership role in passing this legislation, which will assist those Americans who must confront physical and psychological barriers on a daily basis. I supported ADA from the very start, because 43 million disabled Americans deserve to be brought into the mainstream of American life--to enjoy a meal at a restaurant, to see their favorite movie, to travel to a job on public transportation--to communicate by telephone, or to cheer at a ballgame. The ADA's unmistakable message to America is that inequality and prejudice are unacceptable. I also worked to see that ADA provided the necessary support to business and industry to fulfill the important job of implementing the law. The bottom line is that ADA does not require employment of a person in a job for which he or she is not qualified, can not do, or which poses a danger to the health of others. What we have simply said in the ADA is that employment decisions must be made about individuals based on their abilities--not their disabilities. There is no doubt that, as a nation, we can't afford to 01/23/31 14:37 PRESS OFFICE 004 ignore the talents of any America. That's the message of ADA. And that's the message of Compeer. I am proud to be associated with such an outstanding cause, and thank you, once again, for this sculpture. 01/22/91 18:33 PRESS OFFICE 001 (Handwritten) ATTN: Mo SALUTE TO BOB DOLE AND "COMPEER FOR KIDS" January 25, 1990 Wichita, Kansas Thank you. After the events and tension of the past week, I can't tell you how good it feels to come home. I am honored to be here this evening, and thank you for this beautiful sculpture, completed by Babs Mellor, an outstanding Kansas artist. I'm worried that if Elizabeth ever sees this, she'll want it for her office. Elizabeth did ask me to pass along her best wishes, and she wanted me to be sure and get everyone's blood type. This dinner means a great deal to me for several reasons. First, because it is presented by the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, who do so much for so many people. And second, because all proceeds from this evening benefit the Kansas Compeer Program--one of the leading community based volunteer programs in the country. And that's not just my opinion--it's the opinion of President Bush, who honored Compeer with his 1989 Voluntary Action Award. Although my name is on the program, tonight's tribute dinner should really honor the dedicated and caring volunteers who are the heart and soul of Compeer. As a nation, we recognize the importance of standing by and providing support to our young men and women in the Persian Gulf. And as a nation, we also have a duty to provide support and friendship to those Americans with mental health conditions. Many of these men and women suffer from alienation, isolation and loneliness. It is our duty to stand by them, to provide friendship and support, as they battle to manage their illness, and attempt to live an independent and dignified life in their communities. I well remember the friendship and support I received after returning from World War II. The people of Russell did not forget me, and the people of Wichita have not forgot their own. The Compeer program has made a difference--a positive difference--in the lives of many adults...and now, we want to make that difference for children. Children are our most precious resource, and "Compeer for Kids" will help children who are experiencing depression, 01/22/91 18:34 PRESS OFFICE 002 rejection, anxiety, or frequent school problems. "Compeer for Kids" is essential in bridging the gap between state hospitals, families, and local treatment centers. Everyone here this evening has been there for the Compeer Program. And I know everyone will be there for "Compeer for Kids." The goal of both Compeer programs is to ensure that each person receives the treatment, training, and support necessary to enable them to reach as high, and go as far as their talents will take them. This is also the goal of the Dole Foundation, dedicated to helping Americans with disabilities find productive employment. I've been on Capitol Hill for 30 years now, and have seen countless bills passed into law. Few meant as much to me as did the Americans with Disabilities Act, which we passed last year. ADA is landmark legislation, which provides America with a strong mandate to move disability policy into the 21st century, One of my priorities this year is to serve as a "watchdog," ensuring that the provisions of the ADA are implemented and enforced. Before closing, I do want to take a minute to discuss what I know is on everyone's mind this evening. The events of the past week have caused Americans to feel many emotions. But the emotion that I have most often felt is pride. Pride in the courage of our servicemen and women--over 13,000 of them from Kansas. Pride in the awesome skill and professionalism our armed forces. Pride in the allied forces who have stood beside us. Pride in our President, who for five months, never yielded from his position that the civilized world could not idly stand by as a petty tyrant brutalized another country. But, most importantly, pride in the overwhelming majority of men and women across Kansas and America, who have supported our President and our soldiers.. who know what we are doing is right. We Americans are slow to anger. We have always walked the extra mile for peace before using force, as we did in this instance. We--and most of the world--tried quiet diplomacy. We tried economic sanctions. We tried to talk sense to Saddam Hussein 1/22/91 18:34 PRESS OFFICE 003 *If events of the past week have proven anything, they've proven that Saddam had no intention of listening, and every intention of building a war machine capable of terrorizing the entire region. Over the past few days, Baghdad has put blindfolded pilots on display. We have seen these same pilots make obviously coerced statements And we have heard the promises of Saddam Hussein that coalition prisoners of war would be moved to perceived military targets. These actions have sickened us all--but they certainly should come as no surprise. The actions of Saddam Hussein are completely in keeping with his track record of torture and cruelty. Saddam also has a history of misjudging the American people. And he's done it again. Rather than deterring America's will, these inhumanities will serve to further unite our nation. Long after our mission in Iraq is complete, the American people will remember Saddam's repulsive and cowardly behavior. The rules for prisoners of war are cherished by all civilized nations. When Iraq signed the Geneva convention in 1956, they obligated themselves to live up to these rules. All the evidence to date suggests that Sadaam Hussein will violate these rules, just as he violated the country of Kuwait. When Sadaam's troops invaded Kuwait, President Bush said that the world would hold him accountable for his actions. And so we have. The President has now said that you can count on the fact that we will also hold him responsible for his treatment of prisoners of war. And so we will. I have always been inspired by the Kansas State Motto--"Ad Astra per Aspera"--to the stars through difficulties. These are difficult times for America, but I have no doubt that we will emerge victorious. And I look forward to working with each of you as we help those with mental illness reach their own stars. Thank you.