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President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
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President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
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Records of the Office of the Counsel to the President (Clinton Administration)
Jonathan Young's Files
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FOIA Number: 2007-0143-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Counsel Office
Series/Staff Member:
Jonathan Young
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
40205
FolderID:
Folder Title:
President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
112
1
9
2
potusawa. wpd
vohes wpr.
location: whe one recept
WH
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presided
3
Fay Hi 456- 6218
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
PRESIDENT'S
EMPLOYMENT
COMMITTEE
PRESIDENTS PEOPLE COMMITTEE
ON EMPLOYMENT
OF PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
June 15, 1999
Mr. Jonathan Young
Associate Director of Disability Outreach
White House Office of Public Liaison
122 Old Executive Office Building
Washington, DC 20502
Dear Jonathan:
It is my pleasure to share with you a copy of the President's Committee on Employment of
People with Disabilities' 1999 Educational Kit. The theme for this year's program, "Think
Ability," conveys a simple yet critical message: Attitude is the key to raising the level of
employment for people with disabilities. As we round the last lap toward the next century,
hurdling attitudinal barriers remains our greatest challenge.
The 1999 Educational Kit has been constructed to give the reader materials to conduct year-
round programs to ensure that persons with disabilities are part of the diversified workforce of
this nation. You may find these materials of value during the July 26, 1999, celebration of the
ninth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and in October when National
Disability Employment Awareness Month is observed.
By breaking down attitudinal barriers and opening doors to ability, our government and private
sector employers will gain the skills and talents of persons with disabilities. The 54 million
Americans with disabilities are ready to move through the doors and make significant
contributions to society.
If you need additional copies of this information, please contact Faith Kirk at 202/376-6200, Ext.
13, or by E-mail at <[email protected]>.
Sincerely,
1
Tony Coelho
Chairman
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 (Voice)
Washington, DC 20004-1107
202-376-6219 (FAX)
202-376-6205 (TDD)
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
HINK
/NOW HIRING
ABILITY
PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
EDUCATIONAL KIT 1999
ROUTING SLIP
DATE: 6/2/99
FROM:
Stephanie Streett
Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Scheduling
SUBJECT: Present the President's Award of the President's Committee on
Employment of People with Disabilities
Virginia Apuzzo
Thurgood Marshall Jr.
-
-
Lisa Berg
Minyon Moore
-
I
Samuel Berger
Bob Nash
-
-
Sidney Blumenthal
Jennifer Palmieri
-
Mary Beth Cahill
John Podesta
-
Phil Caplan
Clark Ray
-
Davis/Redington
Steve Ricchetti
-
Maria Echaveste
Bruce Reed
-
Tim Emrich
Dan Rosenthal
-
George Frampton
Charles Ruff
I
-
Nancy Hernreich
Patti Solis-Doyle
-
--
Mickey Ibarra
Doug Sosnik
-
—
Ron Klain
Gene Sperling
—
-
Neal Lane
Larry Stein
I
I
Lisa Levin
Aviva Steinberg
-
-
Ann Lewis
Todd Stern
-
J
Bruce Lindsey
Loretta Ucelli
Joe Lockhart
Melanne Verveer
Capricia Marshall
Michael Waldman
I
Jonathan M. Young
FILE: Accept
COMMENTS: 6/4 (T)
Scheduling
39 MAR Propossid 26
3/29/99
ACCEPT
REGRET
PENDING
TO:
Stephanie Streett
Assistant to the President
Director of Scheduling
FROM:
Mary Beth Cahill meclec
Jonathan M. Young
REQUEST:
To present the President's Award of the President's Committee on
Employment of People with Disabilities (PCEPD) to its 1997 and
1998 recipients, Laura Hershey and James H. Click Jr.
PURPOSE:
To honor the recipients' outstanding contributions in advocating
for the employment of people with disabilities.
BACKGROUND:
The Honorable Tony Coelho serves as Chairman of PCEPD--a
small federal agency whose mission is to communicate, coordinate,
and promote public and private efforts to enhance the employment
of people with disabilities. The Committee provides information,
training, and technical assistance to America's business leaders,
organized labor, rehabilitation and service providers, advocacy
organizations, families, and individuals with disabilities. It also
operates the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a toll-free
information service on workplace accommodations and the
employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Tony Coelho also services as Co-Chair of the President's Task
Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities.
Laura Hershey is the interim Executive Director of Denver's
Disability Center for Independent Living and a grass roots leader
in the national disability community. Her achievements include
the mobilization of the PASS Participants Rights Campaign. This
is a national coalition to protect the rights of individuals taking part
in the Social Security Administration's Plan to Achieve Self-
Support. She is also a staunch supporter of women's rights,
especially of women with disabilities.
James Click, Jr. is the founder and president of the LINKAGES
program. This Tucson-based, non-profit program connects
employers with job openings and job seekers with disabilities. As
an employer he as placed 35 employees with disabilities in jobs at
his car dealerships in Arizona and California. Since 1988, 80
employers have placed more than 170 individuals.
Hershey and Click were selected from a national selection of
nominees to receive these awards.
DATE AND TIME:
TBD
LOCATION:
Flexible: either the Oval Office or the hometown of either recipient
(Tuscon or Denver, if POTUS travel coincides).
DURATION:
15 minutes
PARTICIPANTS:
Tony Coelho, Chairman of PCEPD
John Lancaster, Executive Director of PCEPD
Board Members and/or Vice-Chairs of PCEPD (4)
Laura Hershey, with family (4)
James Click, Jr., with family (4)
OUTLINE OF EVENTS:
TBD
MEDIA COVERAGE:
TBD
STAFF CONTACT:
Jonathan M. Young
x-67032
06/01/99
08:39
202 376 6859
PCEPD
001
PRESIDENT S
COMMITTEE
w
ON EMPLOYMENT
STATE
OF PEOPLE
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
WITH DISABILITIES
NORMAL DELIVERY
URGENT
DATE:
June 41999
TO:
Jonathan Joung
FAX NO. 456-6218 TELEPHONE NO. 456-7032
FROM:
Mera Mout
2
Total number of pages including this page:
Please call 202-376-6200 if all pages in this transaction are not received.
Additional comments or
from our messages: correcration - would
on the award
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 (Voice)
Washington, DC 20004-1107
202-376-6859 (fa
202-376-6205 (TDD)
F
A
X
06/01/99
08:40
202 376 6859
PCEPD
002
PRESIDENT'S
EMPLOYMENT
COMMIT 278 PEOPLE
COMMITTEE
ON EMPLOYMENT
my SHIPPING
OF PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
TO:
Jonathan Young
FROM:
Dina Dorich
DATE:
June 1, 1999
RE:
Inscription on President's Award
The seal of the President's Committee (eagle in center, name of committee around the circle) is
within the top third of the crystal.
Immediately below the seal are the following words:
President's Award
1998 (or 1999)
to
(name of, award recipient)
for
outstanding service
to America in
improving the lives
of people with
disabilities
Immediately below the inscription is the President's signature, with the word "President" under
that.
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 (Voice)
Washington, DC 20004-1107
202-376-6219 (FAX)
202-376-6205 (TDD)
M
E
M
O
R
A
N
D
U
M
PRESIDENT'S
EMPLOYMENT
COMMITTEE
PRESIDENTS PEDPLE COMMITTEE
ON EMPLOYMENT
OF PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
Contact:
Jennifer Kaplan
202-376-6200
FOR RELEASE ON MARCH 3, 1999
ARIZONA BUSINESSMAN JIM CLICK TO RECEIVE PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE
ON EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES' TOP HONOR
(Washington, DC March 3, 1999) James H. Click, Jr., founder of Tucson's non-profit
LINKAGES program connecting employers and job seekers with disabilities, and owner of the
Jim Click Automotive Team, has been selected as a recipient of the 1998 President's Award.
The President's Award is the President's Committee's highest honor for achievement in furthering
the employment and empowerment of people with disabilities. Click and Laura Hershey, a
Colorado grass roots disability advocate, were selected from a national slate of nominees to
receive this honor. The two awards will be presented later this year.
"Jim Click has given the word 'matchmaker' new meaning in Tucson by making it easy for
businesses to tap into an often overlooked labor force of skilled, motivated candidates who
happen to have disabilities. He had the vision, the commitment and the tenacity to make
LINKAGES a model for the nation," said President's Committee Chairman Tony Coelho.
LINKAGES, launched in 1998, provides a one-stop shop for employers who want to hire
qualified people with disabilities. An employer with a job opening contacts the program manager,
who works with more than two dozen rehabilitation agencies to identify good candidates for the
position. Jobs are both part time and full time, and range from entry-level to professional.
Click is president of the LINKAGES board and the program's primary source of funding. He is
also a LINKAGES employer, with approximately 35 employees with disabilities working in his
car dealership franchises throughout Arizona and California. To date, he has inspired nearly 80
other employers to take part in the program, and some 170 people with disabilities have been
placed in jobs.
Click's message to the Tucson employer community has been that hiring people with a variety of
abilities is an important part of workforce diversity, and that makes good business sense. He
speaks from experience, having actively hired people with disabilities since 1975.
- more -
1
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 (Voice)
Washington, DC 20004-1107
202-376-6219 (FAX)
202-376-6205 (TDD)
N
E
W
S
R
E
L
E
A
S
E
The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities is a small federal agency
based in Washington, DC. The Committee's mission is to communicate, coordinate and promote
public and private efforts to enhance the employment of people with disabilities. The Committee
provides information, training and technical assistance to America's business leaders, organized
labor, rehabilitation and service providers, advocacy organizations, families and individuals with
disabilities. It also operates the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a toll-free information
service on workplace accommodations and the employment provisions of the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Additional information about the President's Committee is available on the
Internet at <www.pcepd.gov>.
- 30 -
PRESIDENT'S
EMPLOYMENT
COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE
PEOPLE
ON EMPLOYMENT
Jennifer Kaplan
LIMITED MI
Contact:
OF PEOPLE
202-376-6200
WITH DISABILITIES
FOR RELEASE ON MARCH 3, 1999
PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
NAMES RECIPIENTS OF 1998 PRESIDENT'S AWARD
(Washington, DC -- March 3, 1999) The President's Committee on Employment of People with
Disabilities has selected James H. Click, Jr. of Arizona and Laura Hershey of Colorado as
co-recipients of the 1998 President's Award. This award is the President's Committee's highest
honor for achievement in furthering the employment and empowerment of people with disabilities.
Click is the founder and president of the Tucson-based, non-profit LINKAGES program, which
connects employers with job openings and job seekers with disabilities. An employer himself,
Click has placed some 35 employees with disabilities in jobs at his car dealerships throughout
Arizona and California. Nearly 80 employers have taken part in the program since 1998, placing
more than 170 individuals with disabilities. The program has become a model for the nation.
Hershey is the interim Executive Director of Denver's Disability Center for Independent Living
and a grass roots leader in the national disability community. Among her achievements is
mobilization of the PASS Participants Rights Campaign, a national coalition to protect the rights
of individuals taking part in the Social Security Administration's Plan to Achi ve Self-Support.
She is a staunch advocate for the civil rights of women, particularly those with disabilities.
"We are pleased this year to honor two outstanding individuals who represent the employer and
disability communities. Eradicating the staggering unemployment rate facing Americans with
disabilities will depend upon the kind of leadership demonstrated by both Jim Click and
Laura Hershey," said President's Committee Chairman Tony Coelho.
Click and Hershey were selected from a national slate of nominees to receive these awards, which
will be presented later this year.
The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities is a small federal agency
based in Washington, DC. The Committee's mission is to communicate, coordinate and promote
public and private efforts to enhance the employment of people with disabilities. The Committee
provides information, training and technical assistance to America's business leaders, organized
labor, rehabilitation and service providers, advocacy organizations, families and individuals with
disabilities. It also operates the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a toll-free information
service on workplace accommodations and the employment provisions of the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Additional information about the President's Committee is available on the
Internet at <www.pcepd.gov>.
3
30 - - -
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 (Voice)
Washington, DC 20004-1107
202-376-6219 (FAX)
202-376-6205 (TDD)
N
E
W
S
R
E
L
E
A
S
E
PRESIDENT'S
EMPLOYMENT
COMMITTEE
PRESIDENTS PEOPLE COMMITTEE
ON EMPLOYMENT
OF PEOPLE
Contact:
Jennifer Kaplan
202-376-6200
WITH DISABILITIES
FOR RELEASE ON MARCH 3, 1999
DENVER GRASS ROOTS LEADER LAURA HERSHEY TO RECEIVE PRESIDENT'S
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES' TOP HONOR
(Washington, DC March 3, 1999) Laura Hershey, interim Executive Director of Denver's
Disability Center for Independent Living, has been selected as a recipient of the 1998 President's
Award. A grass roots leader in the national disability community, Hershey mobilized the PASS
Participants Rights Campaign to fight for the rights of people with severe disabilities to pursue
employment and maintain their eligibility for Medicaid coverage.
The President's Award is the President's Committee's highest honor for achievement in furthering
the empowerment and employment of people with disabilities. Hershey and James Click, founder
of an Arizona employer coalition to hire people with disabilities, were selected from a national
slate of nominees to receive this honor. The two awards will be presented later this year.
"Laura Hershey has demonstrated tireless leadership in navigating reform in Social Security,
housing, transportation and other programs affecting the livelihood of Americans with severe
disabilities. She has also been a staunch advocate for the civil rights of women, particularly
women with disabilities," said President's Committee Chairman Tony Coelho.
The Social Security Administration's Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) was established to
help people with disabilities who rely on monthly cash benefits gain financial independence. When
plans in progress were interrupted during a period of reevaluation, Hershey lost her consulting
business. Recognizing the widespread consequences of the moratorium on PASS, Hershey
created the PASS Participants Rights Campaign, a national coalition to protect the rights of
individuals taking part in this work incentive program.
Hershey, who has muscular dystrophy, also serves as a consultant to AccessPlus, which provides
research and training services related to disability advocacy issues. Her writings have appeared in
a variety of publications including the Denver Post, Ms. and New Mobility.
The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities is a small federal agency
based in Washington, DC. The Committee's mission is to communicate, coordinate and promote
public and private efforts to enhance the employment of people with disabilities. The Committee
provides information, training and technical assistance to America's business leaders, organized
labor, rehabilitation and service providers, advocacy organizations, families and individuals with
disabilities. It also operates the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a toll-free information
service on workplace accommodations and the employment provisions of the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Additional information about the President's Committee is available on the
Internet at <www.pcepd.gov>
4
- 30 - -
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 (Voice)
Washington, DC 20004-1107
202-376-6219 (FAX)
202-376-6205 (TDD)
N
E
W
S
R
E
L
E
A
S
E
05/26/99
09:57
202 376 6859
PCEPD
001
PRESIDEN 1 S
COMMITTEE
I W 3
ON EMPLOYMENT
5 THE
OF PEOPLE
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
WITH DISABILITIES
NORMAL DELIVERY
URGENT
DATE:
may 26, 1999
TO:
Jonnthan Juny / Liz Chose
FAX NO. 202-454-6218 TELEPHONE NO.
FROM:
Mexa Mouch
2
Total number of pages including this page:
Please call 202-376-6200 if all pages in this transaction are not received.
Additional comments or messages:
TYI- Lee ond Conversation
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 (Voice)
Washington, DC 20004-1107
202-376 -6859 (fa
202-376-6205 (TDD)
F
A
X
05/26/99
09:57
202 376 6859
PCEPD
002
DATE: Sept 7, 1994
TO: John Sutton, White House
Josephon Jany
FROM: Ellen Daly, Awards Coordinator
SUBJECT: President's Award background
The President's Award (formerly the President's Trophy 1951 to
1993) was first given in 1951 to the Handicapped American of the
Year and has been awarded each year since then. In the late
1980's the award was revised and open to any individual
regardless of disability and who met the criteria (see attachment
1.)
Based on the information I could locate the presentation of the
award was made by the following Presidents:
Eisenhower
at an Annual meeting
Kennedy
in Rose Garden, 1963
Clinton - at while House, 1996
Johnson
at an Annual Meeting
Clinton - at White Harse 199
Nixon
in Rose Garden, 1971
Ford
in Rose Garden, 1976
(note" These were
Carter
at Annual Meeting, 1980
Bush
at Annual Meeting, 1990
award for 1995-1956,
The following Vice Presidents presented the award:
Johnson
at Annual Meeting
Humphrey
at Annual Meeting, 1966
Ford
at Annual Meeting, 1974
Bush
at Annual Meeting, 1983
The President's Award is a handsome piece of crystal inscribed
and signed by the President (see attachment 2.)
03/26/99
14:34
202 376 6859
PCEPD
001
PRESIDENT'S
DEPARTMENT 275 AMPLOYMENT ONLINE HOW B)
COMMITTEE
ON EMPLOYMENT
OF PEOPLE
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
WITH DISABILITIES
NORMAL DELIVERY
urgent
URGENT
DATE: 3-26-99
TO: Jenathan
FAX NO. 456-6218
TELEPHONE NO. 456-2930
FROM: Dina Dorich
Total number of pages including this page:
2
Please call 202-376-6200 if all pages in this transaction are not received.
Additional comments or messages:
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 Voice
Washington, DC 20004-1107 202-376-6859 Fax
202-376-6205 Tdd
www.pcepd.gov
F A X
03/26/99
14:35
202 376 6859
PCEPD
002
PRESIDENT'S
STATE EMPLOYMENT THE au
COMMITTEE
ON EMPLOYMENT
&
OF PEOPLE
March 26, 1999
WITH DISABILITIES
TO:
FROM:
Dina Dorich
Jonathan Young Misa
RE:
President's Award
Tony asked that I follow up with you, regarding your recent conversation with him about
scheduling the President's Award presentation. As you know, the President's Award "ceremony"
is primarily a "photo-op" and does not require much of the President's time. In the past the
presentation has taken place in the Oval Office on a weekday, but Tony indicated that a Saturday
radio event is also acceptable.
Tony's key goal is to get this done as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that since the
honorees are from Arizona and Colorado, we need a little lead time to get them here.
Please keep me posted on progress.
Thanks.
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 (Voice)
Washington, DC 20004-1107
202-376-6219 (FAX)
202-376-6205 (TDD)
IVI
E
M
0
R
A
N
D
U
M
PRESIDENT'S
OF
EMPLOYMENT
COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE
PEOPLE
ON EMPLOYMENT
me DEPARTMENT
OF PEOPLE
October 28, 1998
WITH DISABILITIES
TO:
Jonathan Young
FROM:
Dina Dorich
Mixa
RE:
President's Award
Chairman Tony Coelho has made his decision on the 1998 President's Award winner. As we
discussed in our meeting, we also need to present the 1997 President's Award. This award is
considered the America's highest honor in recognition of an individual's impact on the
empowerment and employment of people with disabilities.
The 1997 award will go to Laura Hershey, advocate and founder of the PASS Participants Rights
Campaign, of Denver, Colorado. The 1998 award will go to James H. Click, Jr., a Tucson, AZ,
businessman who is also President of Linkages, Inc., which serves as a liaison between businesses
with job openings and rehabilitation providers with qualified people with disabilities ready to
work.
I am enclosing the nomination packets on both individuals. At this point, neither has been notified
of the honor.
While we do not need to have a specific date set for the presentation, it would be valuable to at
least inform the honorees of the location of the event. During are meeting, we had discussed
several possibilities: (1) White House Oval Office, with the award presented by the President [as
has been done with prior honorees}; (2) White House, with the award presented by the Vice
President [should President's availability be very limited]; (3) the honoree's hometown/state, to be
presented at a time when the President is in that area and a place that would give "local" visibility
to the recipient.
Normally, Chairman Coelho sends a letter to the President, requesting that this ceremony take
place. I assume we still want to follow that process. However, in order to draft the letter, I need
to know whether I should ask only for Option (1) above, ask for Option (1), but be open to other
scenarios, or suggest various scenarios. At this point I don't have any information from Tony to
indicate his personal preference.
I would appreciate it if you could give me a call, so I know how to proceed in a way that will also
make your job of getting it on the calendar as easy as possible. My number is 376-6200, Ext. 23.
Thanks.
cc:
John Lancaster
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 (Voice)
Washington, DC 20004-1107
202-376-6219 (FAX)
202-376-6205 (TDD)
M
E
M
O
R
A
N
D
U
M
PRESIDENT'S
EMPLOYMENT
COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE
PEOPLE
ON EMPLOYMENT
SHIPPING
OF PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
January 12, 1999
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I am very pleased to inform you that the President's Committee has selected two
individuals to receive the 1998 President's Award. They are Laura Hershey, a disability
advocate and activist from Denver, Colorado, and James H. Click, Jr., a businessman
from Tucson, Arizona, who has been instrumental in advancing the employment of
people with disabilities in his own businesses and the Tucson community. The recipients
were selected from a national slate of 25 individuals nominated by leaders in the
disability community.
Former Director of the Denver Commission for People with Disabilities, Ms. Hershey
then chose a career as a self-employed consultant and writer, providing training, research
and writing services to businesses, agencies and individuals. For four years she wrote a
monthly column for the Denver Post on disability rights issues. Her career was abruptly
halted when the Social Security Administration revised its PASS Program, and she was
no longer eligible to participate in the program. She took action, not only for herself but
also for others with disabilities who seek to be self-supporting, tax-paying citizens, by
organizing the PASS Participants Rights Campaign. Not only has she been recognized in
Colorado for her leadership in enhancing employment for people with disabilities, but
she was also recognized nationally by being selected as a representative for disabled
women at the International Women's NGO conference in Beijing, China.
Mr. Click, who owns several automobile businesses in the Southwest, is a founder and
President of the Board of Directors of Linkages, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated
to linking employers with individuals with disabilities seeking jobs. He led the way by
hiring individuals with disabilities and personally ensuring that the managers of his other
companies did the same. While still in a start-up phase and not publicly launched as an
organization until April 1998, the partnerships developed through Linkages had already
resulted in 155 persons with disabilities gaining employment in various businesses,
including health care, retail, banking and landscaping. Mr. Click devotes a great deal of
time and energy to numerous organizations that serve the community, including those
that serve adults with developmental disabilities, homeless people and battered children.
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 (Voice)
Washington, DC 20004-1107
202-376-6219 (FAX)
202-376-6205 (TDD)
He is or has been a member of numerous boards and has led fund raising efforts for such
organizations as the Handi-Dogs Training Center and the American Cancer Society.
I am enclosing the nomination and supporting documents for Ms. Hershey and Mr.
Click. I know you will enjoy meeting both, and look forward to confirming a date and
time on your schedule to present the President's Award to these deserving individuals.
Sincerely,
Tony Coelho
Chairman
TC:DD:sm
Scheduling Proposal
3/29/99
_ACCEPT
REGRET
PENDING
TO:
Lisa Berg
Director of Scheduling and Advance for the Vice President
FROM:
Mary Beth Cahill
Jonathan M. Young
REQUEST:
To present the President's Award of the President's Committee on
Employment of People with Disabilities (PCEPD) to its 1997 and
1998 recipients, Laura Hershey and James H. Click Jr.
PURPOSE:
To honor the recipients' outstanding contributions in advocating
for the employment of people with disabilities.
BACKGROUND:
The Honorable Tony Coelho serves as Chairman of PCEPD--a
small federal agency whose mission is to communicate, coordinate,
and promote public and private efforts to enhance the employment
of people with disabilities. The Committee provides information,
training, and technical assistance to America's business leaders,
organized labor, rehabilitation and service providers, advocacy
organizations, families, and individuals with disabilities. It also
operates the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a toll-free
information service on workplace accommodations and the
employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Tony Coelho also services as Co-Chair of the President's Task
Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities.
Laura Hershey is the interim Executive Director of Denver's
Disability Center for Independent Living and a grass roots leader
in the national disability community. Her achievements include
the mobilization of the PASS Participants Rights Campaign. This
is a national coalition to protect the rights of individuals taking part
in the Social Security Administration's Plan to Achieve Self-
Support. She is also a staunch supporter of women's rights,
especially of women with disabilities.
James Click, Jr. is the founder and president of the LINKAGES
program. This Tucson-based, non-profit program connects
employers with job openings and job seekers with disabilities. As
an employer he as placed 35 employees with disabilities in jobs at
his car dealerships in Arizona and California. Since 1988, 80
employers have placed more than 170 individuals.
Hershey and Click were selected from a national selection of
nominees to receive these awards.
DATE AND TIME:
TBD
LOCATION:
Flexible: either the White House or the hometown of either
recipient (Tuscon or Denver, if VPOTUS travel coincides).
DURATION:
15 minutes
PARTICIPANTS:
Tony Coelho, Chairman of PCEPD
John Lancaster, Executive Director of PCEPD
Board Members and/or Vice-Chairs of PCEPD (4)
Laura Hershey, with family (4)
James Click, Jr., with family (4)
OUTLINE OF EVENTS:
TBD
MEDIA COVERAGE:
TBD
STAFF CONTACT:
Jonathan M. Young
x-67032
ROUTING SLIP
DATE: 4/13/99
FROM:
Stephanie Streett
Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Scheduling
SUBJECT: To present the President's Award of the President's
Committee on Employment of people with Disabilities (PCEPD).
Virginia Apuzzo
Capricia Marshall
-
I
Lisa Berg
Thurgood Marshall Jr.
I
I
Samuel Berger
Minyon Moore
-
-
Sidney Blumenthal
Bob Nash
-
Mary Beth Cahill
Jennifer Palmieri
|
Phil Caplan
John Podesta
-
Davis/Redington
Clark Ray
I
Maria Echaveste
Steve Ricchetti
|
Tim Emrich
Bruce Reed
-
Jeff Forbes
Dan Rosenthal
-
-
George Frampton
Charles Ruff
|
I
Nancy Hernreich
Patti Solis-Doyle
-
|
Mickey Ibarra
Doug Sosnik
-
-
Ron Klain
Gene Sperling
-
-
Neal Lane
Larry Stein
I
-
Lisa Levin
Todd Stern
Ann Lewis
Loretta Ucelli
Bruce Lindsey
Melanne Verveer
Joe Lockhart
Michael Waldman
Johnathan M. Young
FILE:
Pending
COMMENTS:
Scheduling 99 MAR Proposall 26
3/29/99
ACCEPT
REGRET
PENDING
TO:
Stephanie Streett
Assistant to the President
Director of Scheduling
FROM:
Mary Beth Cahill mecice
Jonathan M. Young
REQUEST:
To present the President's Award of the President's Committee on
Employment of People with Disabilities (PCEPD) to its 1997 and
1998 recipients, Laura Hershey and James H. Click Jr.
PURPOSE:
To honor the recipients' outstanding contributions in advocating
for the employment of people with disabilities.
BACKGROUND:
The Honorable Tony Coelho serves as Chairman of PCEPD--a
small federal agency whose mission is to communicate, coordinate,
and promote public and private efforts to enhance the employment
of people with disabilities. The Committee provides information,
training, and technical assistance to America's business leaders,
organized labor, rehabilitation and service providers, advocacy
organizations, families, and individuals with disabilities. It also
operates the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a toll-free
information service on workplace accommodations and the
employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Tony Coelho also services as Co-Chair of the President's Task
Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities.
Laura Hershey is the interim Executive Director of Denver's
Disability Center for Independent Living and a grass roots leader
in the national disability community. Her achievements include
the mobilization of the PASS Participants Rights Campaign. This
is a national coalition to protect the rights of individuals taking part
in the Social Security Administration's Plan to Achieve Self-
Support. She is also a staunch supporter of women's rights,
especially of women with disabilities.
James Click, Jr. is the founder and president of the LINKAGES
program. This Tucson-based, non-profit program connects
employers with job openings and job seekers with disabilities. As
an employer he as placed 35 employees with disabilities in jobs at
his car dealerships in Arizona and California. Since 1988, 80
employers have placed more than 170 individuals.
Hershey and Click were selected from a national selection of
nominees to receive these awards.
DATE AND TIME:
TBD
LOCATION:
Flexible: either the Oval Office or the hometown of either recipient
(Tuscon or Denver, if POTUS travel coincides).
DURATION:
15 minutes
PARTICIPANTS:
Tony Coelho, Chairman of PCEPD
John Lancaster, Executive Director of PCEPD
Board Members and/or Vice-Chairs of PCEPD (4)
Laura Hershey, with family (4)
James Click, Jr., with family (4)
OUTLINE OF EVENTS:
TBD
MEDIA COVERAGE:
TBD
STAFF CONTACT:
Jonathan M. Young
x-67032
PRESIDENT'S
EMPLOYMENT PEOPLE
COMMITTEE
ON EMPLOYMENT
STATEM SALTING
OF PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
June 8, 1999
Mr. Minyon Moore
Assistant to the President & Director for Public Liaison
Public Liaison Office
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., 2/WW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Minyon:
I am pleased to send you this copy of the FY1998 Annual Report of the President's Committee on
Employment of People with Disabilities. "Real Solutions for Real Needs: Making a Difference in
the Workplace" chronicles twelve months of progress as the Committee has responded to the real
problems faced by employers who want to hire people with disabilities. The diversity of the
projects shown here underscores the complex nature of the issues employers face and the
Committee's commitment to addressing them.
We have continued our work in FY1999, building on the accomplishments of FY1998 and prior
years. Project EMPLOY, launched in March, encourages employers to hire persons with cognitive
disabilities in jobs with career potential and benefits, instead of dead-end, entry-level jobs. Our
rapidly expanding High School/High Tech Program has added ten new sites, bringing the national
total to fifty sites. With the cooperation of members of the local Business Leadership Network, the
first of four Employment Fairs was held in Washington, D.C., in late April. Over 25 states are
planning a Youth Leadership Forum. Ten new states will hold forums this summer, with the
remaining states following in the next two years. We will soon have a Small Business Self-
employment Service available by telephone and Internet for entrepreneurs with disabilities, and we
have been very active in the Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities.
An important part of our success has been the support and cooperation we have received from the
White House. With your help, we have created a strong record of increasing employment
opportunities for the nation's 54 million citizens with disabilities. With your continued support,
and that of our other partners, including employers, labor organizations, people with disabilities
and federal agencies, we can and must continue to expand employment opportunities for people
with disabilities. I am looking forward to working with you as we build on our successes in the
coming months and years.
Sincerely,
J
Tony Coelho
Chairman
Enclosure
1331 F Street, N.W.
202-376-6200 (Voice)
Washington, DC 20004-1107
202-376-6219 (FAX)
202-376-6205 (TDD)
REAL SOLUTIONS
FOR REAL NEEDS:
ANNUAL T REPORT I 8
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
IN THE WORKPLACE
Ha
HA
HAO
PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT
OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
Date: 6/3/99
ACTION /CONCURRENCE/ COMMENT DUE BY:
ASAP
Subject: REMARKS: EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE w/ DISAB. ANARDS
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MOORE
PODESTA
NASH
ECHAVESTE
REED
RICCHETTI
RUFF
LEW
SOSNIK
BERGER
SPERLING
BLUMENTHAL
STEIN
CAHILL
STERN
FRAMPTON
STREETT
IBARRA
TRAMONTANO
JOHNSON
UCELLI
KLAIN
VERVEER
LANE
WALDMAN
LEWIS
YELLEN
LINDSEY
JONATHAN YOUNG
LOCKHART
AUDREY HAYNES
MARSHALL
REMARKS:
COMMENTS TO JUNE SHIH
RESPONSE:
Staff Secretary's Office
STAFFING.WPD 3/17/99
Ext. 62702
Draft 6/3/99 6 pm
Shih
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS FOR PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE ON
THE EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AWARDS
THE WHITE HOUSE
JUNE 4, 1999
Fifty years ago, President Harry Truman, the very first President to present these awards,
set a goal for our nation: To give every American with a disability the chance - and I quote -- "to
play their full part in strengthening our nation... [and]to share in the greatest satisfaction of
American life - to be independent and self-supporting."
Today, we gather to honor three Americans whose efforts to bring thousands of men and
women with disabilities into the world of work have moved America ever closer to that great --
and just - goal.
Since the founding of our nation, work has been at the heart of the American Dream.
Because millions of Americans have had the opportunity to work and build better lives for
themselves and their families, our nation is strong and prosperous. Through work, we reinforce
the values that hold our society together - the values of responsibility, perseverance, striving for
the future. And in so many ways, we Americans define ourselves, not only by our families and
hometowns, but by our work. Often, the first question we ask each other is not "Who are your
parents?" or "Where do you live?" but "What do you do?"
Today, there are still too many disabled Americans who have never been allowed to
answer that question, who have never had the chance to participate in that essential component of
the American Dream. Even as we celebrate more than 18 million new jobs and a nationwide
unemployment rate of X percent -- the lowest unemployment in a generation -- 75 percent of
Americans with disabilities remain unemployed. And of those unemployed, 72 percent say they
want to go to work.
This is not just a missed opportunity for the disabled. It is a missed opportunity for
America. In an era of labor shortages, when companies go begging to fill positions they need to
stay competitive in our global economy, we cannot afford to ignore millions of potential workers
simply because they have a disability. Think of the loss to American industry, the economy, and
even our Treasury. Tony Coehlo often likes to say that he represents the only group in America
that actually wants to pay more taxes. If we are to sustain and build our prosperity, if we are to
uphold our highest ideal of opportunity for all, then we as a nation must work harder to give all
Americans the chance to experience the pride of going to work and earning a paycheck.
Today, one of the biggest obstacles to employment for many Americans with disabilities
is the fear that they will lose their federal health insurance once they take a job. As many of you
know, under current law, people with disabilities cannot work and keep Medicaid or Medicare
coverage at the same time. For many disabled Americans, medical bills cost thousands of dollars
beyond what is typically covered by an employer's private insurance. They have no choice but
to stay out of the workforce, dependent on federal assistance.
This is not what America is about. This system denies opportunity to millions who are
willing to take on the responsibility of work and become full-fledged members of our American
community. And we must change it.
Last summer, I called on Congress to free our fellow Americans from this unfair choice
between going to work and keeping health insurance. Today, Congress is considering landmark
bipartisan legislation to do just that. The Work Incentives Improvement Act, sponsored by
Senators Jeffords and Kennedy, has awaited passage in the Senate and the House for months.
With more than 75 Senate co-sponsors from both parties, there is no good reason why it should
take this long to pass. I have proposed funds in my balanced budget to support this legislation.
So I challenge Congress to pass the Jeffords-Kennedy bill right away. Next month, we will mark
the ninth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The best way we can celebrate the
landmark legislation that literally widened the doors of opportunity for millions is to throw open
those doors even wider so that more Americans with disabilities can join the proud ranks of
working citizens.
There is much more we can do. In my balanced budget, I am also proposing a $1,000 tax
credit to help people with disabilities afford the specialized transportation, technology, or
personal assistance they need to make a successful transition to work. And we must double our
efforts to make "assistive technologies" such as voice recognition software, mobile telephones,
Braille translators, more widely available to disabled Americans. I challenge Congress to move
forward with these proposals.
And today, I am taking immediate action to give more Americans with disabilities the
opportunity to become a part of the largest workforce in America. As some of you may know,
on Monday, the First Lady, the Vice President and Mrs. Gore and I will be hosting a White
House Conference on Mental Health. One of our goals is to help more Americans understand
that mental illness is not a character flaw, but a disability. That is why today, I am using my
executive authority as President to strip away the outdated barriers that keep people with
psychiatric disabilities from serving our nation in the federal government. I am directing all
federal agencies to provide applicants with mental illnesses the same opportunities as other
applicants with disabilities.
Government must do its part to widen the circle of opportunity to even more Americans
with disabilities. But Americans as individuals can also take action. The three citizens we honor
today are proof of the difference a single individual can make. I am proud to present these
awards to each of them.
First, to Joyce Bender. Fifteen years ago, as Joyce Bender lay in a hospital trauma unit,
recovering from a near-fatal cerebral hemorrhage, she made a vow to give something back to the
patients who were not so lucky. Through Bender Consulting Services, she has used her own
expertise as a professional head-hunter to place people with disabilities in high-wage, high-tech
2
jobs. Joyce knows that the demand for high-skilled workers will only continue to grow - and she
is determined to make sure more people with disabilities will be ready to meet it. To keep her
employee roster full, she founded a new program to train even more disabled people in high-tech
skills at a local community college. So it is an honor to present this award to Joyce Bender.
Next, to James H. Click, Jr. As the head of nine car dealerships in California and
Arizona, Jim Click is an undisputed leader in his field. But he is also unrivaled in his
commitment to hiring and extending opportunity to people with disabilities. A few years ago,
Jim recognized that he could encourage more businesses to follow his lead by making it easier
for them to find workers with the right skills. So he founded Linkages, an organization that
brings Tucson businesses and rehabilitation programs together to match qualified people with
disabilities to appropriate jobs in the private sector. In a little over a year, more than 170 people
have found work through Linkages. It is an honor present this award to Jim Click.
Finally, to Laura Hershey. Laura once said that "disability is not a tragedy It
is
powerful." By speaking her mind, and using her gifts as a writer to point out the shortcomings
and possibilities of our society, Laura has found the power to change the world. As the head of
a variety of disability organizations and as a private citizen, she has fought to reform our Social
Security, housing, transportation systems and other areas to better serve Americans living with
disabilities. Economic freedom and self-sufficiency for Americans with disabilities is her goal. I
am confident she will not rest until she achieves it. I am proud to present this final award to
Laura Hershey.
A high-tech head hunter from Pittsburgh, a car dealer from Tucson, a writer and activist
from Denver - our awardees seem to have little in common. But they are bound by their
remarkable passion for empowering the disabled. Most of all, each one of them is a true patriot.
Harry Truman once said that "we love our country because it offers us the chance to
lead
useful lives and to do what we can for those around us." I thank each of you for working to give
our fellow Americans with disabilities the chance to work and lead useful lives; and in so doing
strengthening the ties that bind us all together in love and loyalty to our country.
3