Correspondence: Letter sent to Marvin T. Runyon, Postmaster General of the United States

Item

Other Media

c021_003_006_019_tr.txt

Extent (Dublin Core)

4 Pages

File Name (Dublin Core)

c021_003_006_019

Title (Dublin Core)

Correspondence: Letter sent to Marvin T. Runyon, Postmaster General of the United States

Description (Dublin Core)

Letter from Dole and Gingrich to Marvin T. Runyon asking for the issuance of a commemorative stamp honoring the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta. Attached is a letter from Dole to Secretary of Commerce, Ronald Brown and background information.

Date (Dublin Core)

1995-03-14

Date Created (Dublin Core)

1995-03-14

Congress (Dublin Core)

104th (1995-1997)

Topics (Dublin Core)

See all items with this valueAthletes with disabilities

See all items with this valuePeople with disabilities

Policy Area (Curation)

Sports and Recreation

Creator (Dublin Core)

Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021

Record Type (Dublin Core)

correspondence

Names (Dublin Core)

See all items with this valueDole, Robert J., 1923-2021

See all items with this valueParalympic Games

See all items with this valueRunyon, Marvin Travis, 1924-

See all items with this valueUnited States. National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications

Location representation (Dublin Core)

Atlanta (inhabited place)

Rights (Dublin Core)

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

Language (Dublin Core)

eng

Collection Finding Aid (Dublin Core)

https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/?p=collections/findingaid&id=54&q=

Physical Location (Dublin Core)

Collection 021, Box 3, Folder 6

Institution (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Archival Collection (Dublin Core)

Alec Vachon Papers, 1969-2006

Full Text (Extract Text)

(page 1)

SIXTH DISTRICT, GEORGIA

THE SPEAKER

WASHINGTON OFFICE:
2428 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BLDG.
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-1006
(202) 225-4501

SUITE 200
MARIETTA, GA 30062
(404) 565-6398

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 14, 1995

The Honorable Marvin T. Runyon
Postmaster General
U.S. Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20260-0010

Dear Marvin:

We are writing on behalf of the millions of Americans who have physical disabilities to request the issuance of a commemorative stamp honoring the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta.

As you know, the Paralympics are the second largest sporting event in the world, and will be held in this country for the first time next year, following the Centennial Summer Olympic Games. The competition of some 4,000 world-class athletes with physical disabilities, the many events surrounding the Paralympic Games, and the enthusiasm of fans throughout the world are expected to inspire the largest gathering of people with disabilities ever assembled.

There is widespread national support in the disability community for a Paralympic commemorative stamp, and we know you already have received a number of requests from individuals and organizations, as well as Members of Congress. We add our wholehearted endorsement as well. We believe the Paralympic Games offer an unparalleled opportunity for the U.S. Postal Service to recognize the considerable abilities of those with disabilities, and to significantly advance understanding and acceptance by all Americans.

We understand that Mr. Andrew Fleming, President of the Atlanta Paralympic Organizing Committee, has requested a meeting with you on this subject. We hope that you will be able to meet with Mr. Fleming if your schedule permits.

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

(page 2)

The Honorable Marvin T. Runyon
March 14, 1995
Page 2

Thanks for your consideration of a commemorative stamp for the Paralympics. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

(Newt Gingrich's signature)
Newt Gingrich
Speaker

(Bob Dole's signature)
Bob Dole
Majority Leader

(page 3)

JOHN W. WARNER, VIRGINIA
WILLIAM S. COHEN, MAINE
JOHN MCCAIN, ARIZONA
TRENT LOTT, MISSISSIPPI
DAN COATS, INDIANA
BOB SMITH, NEW HAMPSHIRE
DIRK KEMPTHORNE, IDAHO
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, TEXAS
JAMES M. INHOFE, OKLAHOMA
RICK SANTORUM, PENNSYLVANIA
SAM NUNN, GEORGIA
J. JAMES EXON, NEBRASKA
CARL LEVIN, MICHIGAN
EDWARD M. KENNEDY, MASSACHUETTS
JEFF BINGAMAN, NEW MEXICO
JOHN GLENN, OHIO
ROBERT C. BYRD, WEST VIRGINIA
CHARLES S. ROBB, VIRGINIA
JOSEPH I. LIEBERMAN, CONNECTICUT
RICHARD H. BRYAN, NEVADA
RICHARD L. REYNARD, STAFF DIRECTOR
ARNOLD L. PUNARO, STAFF DIRECTOR FOR THE MINORITY

UNITED STATES SENATE
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-6050

March 17, 1995

The Honorable Ronald Brown
Secretary
Department of Commerce
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20230

Dear Mr. Secretary:

As you know, the city of Atlanta will host the Games of the XXVI Olympiad during the summer of 1996. Soon after the conclusion of the Olympic Games, the Games of the X Paralympiad will begin.

The Atlanta Paralympic Organizing Committee (APOC) is working diligently to ensure that the X Paralympiad, which will involve over 4000 athletes from over 100 countries, surpasses the high expectations that the nation and the world have for the 1996 Games. APOC officials have an ambitious agenda for the 1996 Paralympics, including a trade show for American suppliers of adaptive technology, a trade initiative, a policy congress and a fully accessible interactive communications system.

It has come to our attention that APOC has proposed a partnership with the Department of Commerce to lend support to their trade and communications initiatives. We would encourage you to consider what support the Department of Commerce might lend to this effort.

We are hopeful that you will give the Paralympic proposal careful and sympathetic consideration.

Sincerely,

Sam Nunn

(Bob Dole's Signature)
Bob Dole

(page 4)

Atlanta Paralympic Organizing Committee
and the
U.S. Department of Commerce

A Proposed Partnership

One of the greatest challenges posed to the Organizing Committee is the need to direct delegates around Atlanta, between venues, and among villages and support facilities. All signage and interactive message centers will have to communicate with representatives of more than 100 nations, many of whom will have special communications needs. The information kiosks planned will allow participants to access reports on venue locales, competition schedules and results, transportation and meal schedules, weather forecasts and other useful information.

The traditional keyboard and screen, however, will have limited value for users with visual impairments, with cerebral palsy, or without full use of arms and hands. APOC will work with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to develop a voice recognition system with adequate software and hardware that will allow athletes, including the visually impaired and those for whom use of a keyboard is a barrier to gaining information, to move about independently during the Games.

In conjunction with an exposition on the latest developments in assistive technology and services, APOC is working with the International Trade Administration and the Bureau of Export Administration to facilitate export of American goods and services. This international trade initiative will be built around the international government officials and private sector buyers that the Paralympics can attract for both athletic competition and trade purposes.

While the Paralympiad will draw thousands of international visitors, APOC seeks support from the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration to coordinate bringing target delegations to Atlanta for the Abilities Expo, the Paralympic International Trade Initiative, and the Paralympic Policy Congress.

The first Paralympiad to be held in a country with a comprehensive disability rights law provides the backdrop for APOC's mission to advocate for lowering barriers and promoting empowerment internationally. One objective, therefore, is to bring delegations interested in the policy ramifications of the Paralympiad. A second objective is to facilitate visits from foreign delegations of potential buyers to the 1996 International Abilities Expo.