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Videos 4/25/00: Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Clinic
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Videos 4/25/00: Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Clinic
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Hony SAM DONALL.COM JUCIAN 150
Porton
ABCN6WS THANK
MAGL
LESBIAN
MSHONS
OFC
Grays, BISEMAL+
UMBRE
OVAL
THISENDERED
ONCE
Draft 04/23/00 5:30pm
Gottheimer/Silver
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
VIDEOTAPED REMARKS FOR THE DIDI HIRSCH CENTER
[LOCATION TBD|
[DATE TBD]
I am so glad to have this opportunity to join the mental health leadership campaign in
honoring your award recipients, Nancy Hirsch Rubin and Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher -
and to thank them for their years of commitment to erasing the stigma of mental illness I also
als
want to thank the Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center. You have played a critical role
in making mental health a national priority.
the nation
challenge Every day, in every community in America, millions of Americans and their families face
the problem mental illness. In fact, more than one in five Americans experience one form of
mental illness year - from depression to schizophrenia? one in four Americans has a family
member with a mental illness; and virtually every American has a friend, a neighbor or a
colleague with a mental itlness.
With your support, those our Administration has worked hard to break down the barriers that
stand in the way of so many people living in the way of mental illness In 1996, I signed into law
the Mental Health Parity Act, which prohibits health plans from setting lower annual and lifetime
limits for mental health care, than for other medical services. I also signed Kennedy-Jeffords,
which allows people with disabilities to purchase health insurance at a reasonable cost when they
go back to work. Additionally, last year, I directed all federal agencies to ensure that their hiring
practices give people with mental disabilities the same opportunities with physical disabilities.
Any my budget this year/ last year XXX includes/d $ for community mental health services- the
largest increase in history.
in the first White House Conference on Mental Health, Tipper Gore and I unveiled
our campaign to fight stigma and dispel myths about mental illness. We learned then that if we
are ever going to put an end to thislviscous cycle, we have to take responsibility and dispel the
myths of mental illness once and for all.
Nearly forty years ago, President Kennedy said that we had to "return mental health to
the mainstream of American medicine." If we continue to work together, we can replace stigma
with acceptance, ignorance with understanding, and fear with new hope for the future. The work
you do every day is putting us on the right track. Thank you and God bless you.
Draft 04/23/00 5:30pm
Gottheimer/Silver
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
VIDEOTAPED REMARKS FOR THE DIDI HIRSCH CENTER
[LOCATION TBD|
[DATE TBD]
I am so glad to have this opportunity to join the mental health leadership campaign in
honoring your award recipients, Nancy Hirsch Rubin and Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher -
and to thank them for their years of commitment to erasing the stigma of mental illness. I also
want to thank the Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center. You have played a critical role
in making mental health a national priority.
class day, in every community in America, millions of Americans and their families face
our netro.
the problem of mental illness. more than one in five Americans experience one form FAB of
mental illness every year - from depression to schizophrenia; one in four Americans has 570 a family
member with a mental illness; and virtually every American has a friend, a neighbor or a
colleague with a mental illness.
and
With your support, our Administration has worked hard to break down the barriers that
stand in the way of SQ many people living in the way of mental illness. In 1996, I signed into law
the Mental Health Parity Act, which prohibits health plans from setting lower annual and lifetime
limits for mental health care, than for other medical services. I also signed Kennedy-Jeffords,
which allows people with disabilities to purchase health insurance at a reasonable cost when they
go back to work. Additionally, last year, I directed all federal agencies to ensure that their hiring
practices give people with mental disabilities the same opportunities with physical disabilities.
And my budget this year/ last year XXX includes/d $ for community mental health services- the
largest increase in history.
Rose
And the first White House Conference on Mental Health, Tipper Gore and I unveiled
our campaign to fight stigma and dispel myths about mental illness. We learned then that if we
are ever going to put an end to this viscous cycle, we have to take responsibility and dispel the
myths of mental illness once and for all.
institution
Nearly forty years ago, President Kennedy said that we had'to "return mental health to
the mainstream of American medicine." If we continue to work together, we can replace stigma
with acceptance, ignorance with understanding, and fear with new hope for the future. The work
you do every day is putting us on the right track. Thank you and God bless you.
we (a tultill nut orfor.
Final 04/24/00 6:30pm
Gottheimer/Silver
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
VIDEOTAPED REMARKS FOR MILLION MILLENNIUM MARCH
WASHINGTON, DC
April 30, 2000
It is my honor to welcome you to our nation's Capitol for the Millennium March on
Washington for Equality. Your presence here today is a moving testament of your commitment to
the fundamental values of fairness and equality for all Americans.
Nearly eight years ago, when I first ran for President, I said that I had a vision for America -
and that you were a part of it. Since then, with your help, we have made important progress in
ending discrimination against gays and lesbians, and in working toward the day that you have the
same rights that are guaranteed to every American.
First, we have tried to lead by example. We have created an Administration that is the most
inclusive in history - with more than 150 openly gay and lesbian appointees. Additionally, I signed
an Executive Order that prohibits discrimination in the Federal civilian workforce based on sexual
orientation. And with your help, we are continuing our fight for an employment nondiscrimination
act that would ban discrimination against gays and lesbians in the workplace.
As part of our commitment to fight the terrible scourge of HIV and AIDS, our
Administration has increased funding for AIDS research by more than 57 percent and for HIV
prevention by 36 percent. For the first time in the history of the AIDS epidemic, the number of
Americans diagnosed with AIDS has declined.
But while we have come a long way on our journey toward tolerance, understanding and
mutual respect, we still have a long way to go. Over the last few years, we've seen a stark increase
in the number of hate crimes committed against individuals, solely because of their skin color, faith,
or sexual orientation. These crimes tear at the fabric of the American community and at our
common values. That's why it is so important that we all work together to pass a strong, fair Hate
Crimes Prevention Act.
But we all know that we cannot achieve equal rights through legislation alone. Our greatest
hope for a just society is to teach our children to respect one another, to see our diversity as our
greatest strength, and to recognize the fundamental values that define us as One America.
As Dr. Martin Luther King once said, "Darkness can not drive our darkness; only light can
do that. Hate can not drive our hate; only love can do that." This event, and your numbers, are
further evidence that no matter how difficult the road may be, we must keep moving forward and
not succumb to the sirens of hate. Thank you again for coming together for this important cause.
Calendar List
4/26/00
TERRY.OR2
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April 2000
May 2000
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16 17 18 19 20 21 22
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
26 27 28 29 30 31
23 24 25
26 27 28 29
28 29 30 31
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JOSH
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End
Category
Description
26
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
Commencement meeting
Apr
2000
© 2000 Lotus Development Corp.
4/25/00 at 8:34 PM
Page 1
847- 347-869-9352 869- - 9352
Many
THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF SPEECHWRITING
Fax (202) 456-2505
Tel (202) 456-2777
TO:
ELI SEGAL
FAX:
PHONE
FROM:
Comments
PLEASE PAGE ME THROUGH
SIGNAL WITH ANY QUESTIONS —
202 757-5000
THANKS
Date:
Number of Pages (including cover): 2
Final 04/25/00 2:30pm
Gottheimer/Silver
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
VIDEOTAPED REMARKS FOR WELFARE TO WORK DINNER
NEW YORK, NY
May 4, 2000
I am grateful for the opportunity to address the Third Annual Welfare to Work
Partnership Independence Awards Dinner. I'd like to congratulate Jonathan Tisch on this well-
deserved honor, and to thank him, and the entire board of the Partnership, for their dedication to
this important cause. I'd also like to thank Eli Segal and Jerry Greenwald for their leadership of
the Welfare to Work Partnership.
Seven years ago, I asked the American people to join me on a crusade to transform our
system of welfare into a system of work; to turn a system of dependence into a system of
independence; and to bring a whole generation of Americans from the margins into the
mainstream of our national life.
Three years later, when I signed historic welfare reform legislation, we took important
steps to break the cycle of welfare for good. Today, with your help, we've cut the welfare rolls
by more than half - to the lowest levels in 30 years. Every year, we're moving more than a
million people from the welfare rolls to the payrolls - more than 1.3 million in 1998 alone. And
those who are on welfare today are four times as likely to work as when I took office.
As I said back then, the hardest challenge we faced was creating the private-sector jobs
for people making the transition from welfare to work - and I called on private business to help.
Under your leadership, the Partnership has grown from nearly 100 companies three years ago to
more than 12,000 today - bringing the dignity of work to more than 650,000 people. I
congratulate you on launching your new BizLink effort that will help even more low-income
parents - both mothers and fathers - go to work and support their children.
The welfare system no longer holds people back, it helps them move ahead - with the
child care, transportation, housing and health care working families need to succeed. Our
Administration has cracked down on deadbeat parents, so children get the child support they
deserve. And my budget this year makes further investments for working families - more
funding to help low-income fathers and working families increase their skills and succeed on the
job; an expanded EITC to help make work pay; and increased childcare subsidies to help
working parents find child care they can afford and trust.
Robert Kennedy once said, "Work is the meaning of what this country is all about. We
need it as individuals. we need it as a society and as a people." Together, we can make welfare
dependency a memory of the 20th Century and build a community of work and responsibility in
this new millennium. Thank you and keep up the good work.
New nded
5006452405
SEGAL
PAGE 01
GRASINGSTIGMA
Sharnow Billie
(I Event
LEADERSHIP AWARDS 2000
March 24, 2000
Ell and Phyllis Segal
A
POTUS Cille
195 St. Paul St.
Brookline, MA 02446
LEADERSHIP AWARD
DAVID SATCHER, M.D., Ph.D.
Dear Ell and Phyllis,
1084
U.S. SURCEON GENERAL
Please join to help eradicate one of the last taboos of the 21st century 86 we honor
both Nancy Hirsch Rubin and Dr. David Satcher, US Surgeon General. You can add
the power of your voice to theirs by joining our "Erasing the Stigma" Mental Health
Leadership Campaign.
LEGACY AWARD
One in five persons, regardless of age, battles mental Illness each year but
NANCY HIRSCH RUBIN
less than half seek treatment.
AMBASSADOR TO THE
U.N. COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
6 million children in this country have some serious emotional disturbance.
1 in 4 Americans will battle alcoholism at some point.
By age 85, about 50% of us will suffer from some form of dementia.
NANayPASUED
Untreated substance abuse and mental Illness are associated with the
majority of suicides. Most of those who die by suicide have been battling
depression, anxiety, bipolar illness or schizophrenia - often secretly and in
PAST RECIPIENTS
shame. In the US. more people die by suicide than homicide each year.
TIPPER GORE
More than 25 million people in 'our country suffer from serious anxiety or
ROSALYNN CARTER
panic disorder.
DR. KAY REDFIELD JAMISON
Determined to change the future for our daughters, fathers. brothers and
grandmothers, Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center has been providing the
most comprehensive continuum of care in the Southern California area since 1942.
With 14 Centers throughout Los Angeles County, the organization serves more
than 29.000 individuals each year. Our "Erasing the Stigma" Mental Health
EVENT CHAIRS
Leadership Award campaign has honored Tipper Gore, Roselyn Carter and last
BEATRICE STERN
year, Annette Bening presented the award to Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, a
renowned psychologist and writer who has led a public dialogue on depression and
HENRY CISNEROS
suicide.
1. WALTER MENNINGER, M.D.
JANE NATHANSON
This year, Dustin Hoffman will present the award to Dr. David Satcher. DC
STANLEY SHEINBAUM
Satcher is the first Surgeon General to make mental health 8 national priority, the
PAULA WEINSTEIN
first to issue a "call to action" to our nation. We are proud to honor this
outstanding American who has emphasized that the origins of mental illness are
biological, frequently inherited.
1942
can but SENT MM
But families pass on values as well as vulnerabilities. As you know, Nancy, the
daughter of Didi Hirsch (a staunch advocate for community mental health) has
dedicated her life to helping vulnerable individuals and families. While she works
on human rights throughout the world as the United States Ambassador to the UN
Commission on Human Rights, she also advocates for the rights of Individuals to
mental health and she has been instrumental in helping further our mission to erase
DIDI HIRSCH
the stigma of mental illness.
COMMUNITY
ENTAL HEALTH CENTER
60 5, SEPULVEDA BOULEVARD
CULVER CITY, CA 90230
398
We hope that you will join her and Dr. Satcher in advocacy and join us in honoring
(310)390-6612
them by helping assure that EMPLOYMENT services and treatment will be accessible TO those LIVE who AND Tom
ICALE!
310-390618
on
(310) 398-5690 FAX
310.3363
EM
310.398.2805
SCI/TECH TECH
01/ 1996 01:38 5086452405
SEGAL
PAGE 02
Page 2
Erasing the Stigma
need them. With your help, attitudes and practices will begin to change so that those who need
help will not be afraid to seek it,
"If only" echoes in the history of our lives. Many health insurance plans do not provide coverage for
mental illness and some penalize those who need a psychiatrist instead of an onoologist. Teachers
are not trained to recognize the signs of mental illness and some dismiss it as bad behavior. Parents
frequently are afraid and ashamed. And we still have a national environment that tells those who
need help that their fears and demons are a disgrace.
Your support will move mental health from the margins of care into the mainstream. where it
belongs.
Sincerely,
Bea Steen
Beatrice Stern
Campaign Chair
Kita & Curry
will Pul
Kita S. Curry. Ph.D.
Miles Rubin
Executive Director, DHCMHC
Henry Cusiness
a) water op
Henry Cisneros
W. Walter Menninger, M.D.
Campaign Co-Chair
Campaign Co-Chair
JaneNathanson
ParlaWeistin
Stanlay Sheinbaurn
Jane Nathanson
Paula Weinstein
Stanley Sheinbaum
Campaign Co-Chair
Campaign Co-Chair
Campaign Co-Chair
anthBing
Mariette Hartley
Annette Bening
Carrie Fisher
Mariette Hartley
Honorary Co-Chair
Honorary Co-Chair
Honorary Co-Chair
Kay Redfield Jemison
Rod steiger
Jami Morse Heidegger
Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D.
Rod Stelger
Honorary Co-Chair
Honorary Co-Chair
Honorary Co-Chair
Apr. 25 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1981
Today, the United States stands as a
I urge the press, radio, television, and all
beacon of liberty and democratic strength
other information media to cooperate in
before the community of nations. We are
this observance.
resolved to stand firm against those who
I also request the Governors of the
would destroy the freedoms we cherish. We
United States and the Commonwealth of
are determined to achieve an enduring
Puerto Rico and the appropriate officials of
peace-a peace with liberty and with
all local units of Government to direct that
honor. This determination, this resolve, is
the flag be flown at half-staff during this
the highest tribute we can pay to the many
Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds,
who have fallen in the service of our
and naval vessels throughout the United
Nation.
States and in all areas under its jurisdiction
In recognition of those Americans whom
and control, and I request the people of the
we honor today, the Congress, by joint reso-
United States to display the flag at half-staff
lution of May 11, 1950 (64 Stat. 158), has
from their homes for the customary fore-
requested the President to issue a procla-
noon period.
mation calling upon the people of the
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set
United States to observe each Memorial
my hand this twenty-fourth day of April, in
Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace
the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and
and a period during such day when the
eighty-one, and of the Independence of the
people of the United States might unite in
United States of America the two hundred
prayer.
and fifth.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, Presi-
RONALD REAGAN
dent of the United States of America, do
hereby designate Memorial Day, Monday,
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Regis-
May 25, 1981, as a day of prayer for perma-
ter, 10:59 a.m., April 27, 1981]
nent peace, and I designate the hour begin-
ning in each locality at 11 o'clock in the
Note: The text of the proclamation was re-
morning of that day as a time to unite in
leased by the Office of the Press Secretary
prayer.
on April 25.
Remarks by Telephone at the Annual Dinner of the White House
Correspondents Association
April 25, 1981
Mr. Pierpoint. Mr. President, this is Bob
but I have to tell you the first time I came
Pierpoint at the podium.
to this place, to Camp David, Ed Meese
The President. Bob, I hope you don't
sewed nametags in all my undershorts and
mind, but David Stockman is making me
T-shirts. [Laughter]
call collect. [Laughter]
Mr. Pierpoint. Well, I do mind, Mr. Presi-
But, Bob, I'm sure your fellow correspon-
dent, but he's a hard man to talk out of it,
dents have already praised you or will soon
so we'll take the call.
do so for your year in office. Mark Twain is
The President [laughing]. Okay. Well, I'm
supposed to have said there's nothing
happy to be speaking to the White House
harder to put up with than the annoyance
correspondents' spring prom. [Laughter]
of a good example, and you certainly have
I'm sorry that I can't be there in person.
been that to the White House press corps.
Mr. Pierpoint. We're very sorry you can't
Mr. Pierpoint. Thank you, Mr. President.
also, Mr. President.
The President. I know that Cliff Evans
The President. Well, I'm up at Camp
must be there somewhere.
David. We're getting a little used to it now,
Mr. Pierpoint. Yes.
384
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1981 / Apr. 25
The President. And, Cliff, let me send my
Mr. Pierpoint. And Sarah is here, Mrs.
congratulations to you as one new president
Reagan. I believe she's over at table 45.
to another. If you enjoy your office as much
[Applause]
as I do mine, you'll be a very happy and
Mrs. Reagan. Oh, good.
fulfilled man.
Mr. Pierpoint. Sarah Brady is now stand-
Mr. Evans. Well, you stay well, Mr. Presi-
ing up, Mrs. Reagan. And as you can imag-
dent, and we'll take care of the pressroom,
ine, she's receiving a very warm round of
Pierpoint and I and all of my colleagues.
applause.
Stay well.
Mrs. Reagan. Sarah, you remember those
The President. Okay. If I could give you
days in the hospital when you and I had
just one little bit of advice, when somebody
many conversations. And we both agreed
tells you to get in a car quick, do it. [Laugh-
that you and I, from now on, had a bond
ter]
that was very special and that nobody could
Mr. Pierpoint. Mr. President, we know
ever break. It was just something between
now that you are really recovering. You
you and me that was ours. And I want you
sound terrific.
to know that you've never left my thoughts
The President [laughing]. Well, I am. be-
and my prayers, and all my love and all my
lieve me, well on the road and feeling just
prayers are with you as they always have
fine.
been. And I know that both our fellows are
Mr. Pierpoint. That's wonderful. Well, let
going to make it, and I send you and Jim all
me tell you, Mr. President, there are
my love.
about-well, over 1,800 people assembled
Mr. Pierpoint. And we all join you, Mrs.
in this room tonight listening to you. And I
Reagan in those thoughts to the Bradys.
told the Vice President that they are actual-
[Applause]
ly here for him, but you know the truth.
The President. Bob, thank you very much.
[Laughter] We all hoped that you would
Could I just say
make it. We well understand that you could
Mr. Pierpoint. Mr. President, the entire
not.
room is standing and applauding Sarah
Among these people are many of your
Brady.
Cabinet Secretaries. There's only really one
that I think is very noticeable by his ab-
The President. Well, could I then suggest
something?
sence. I haven't seen Secretary Haig. I won-
dered if you've been watching television to-
Mr. Pierpoint. We're having a little trou-
night. We are a little worried who's in the
ble hearing you because the applause is so
Situation Room and who's in control.
loud in this room for Sarah and Jim Brady.
[Laughter]
The President. All right.
The President. Well, I'll tell you, wherev-
Mr. Pierpoint. I think the President
er he is, I have every confidence in him.
would like to sign off if you'll all be seated.
[Laughter]
The President. Yes, I'd like to say just one
Mr. Pierpoint. Very good, Mr. President.
thing before you sit down, and that is, as
We really appreciate your call.
long as you're standing, I know how close to
The President. Well, if I could be serious
all of you is "The Bear," and certainly
for just a moment, there's someone who
Nancy said it, there isn't an hour that he
isn't there tonight and yet, in a sense, I'm
isn't in our prayers. Why don't we raise a
sure in all our hearts is. And I'd like to give
glass to "The Bear's" health and to Sarah?
the phone to Nancy for a moment to say
Mr. Pierpoint. That's certainly a fine idea.
something, and you'll understand when she
Everyone stand, please, and let's raise a
does.
glass to "The Bear" and to Sarah. To their
Mr. Pierpoint. Thank you.
good health.
Mrs. Reagan. Hello. I really want to say-
We've done it, Mr. President.
this is a message to Sarah, and Sarah, I hope
The President. Thank you very much.
you're there.
Mr. Pierpoint. Thank you for calling.
385
Apr. 25 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1981
The President. Well, I'm looking forward
The President. Thank you.
to the next news conference. I have so
many questions to ask you all. [Laughter]
Note: The exchange of remarks began at
Mr. Pierpoint. We've got a few for you
approximately 8:15 p.m. in the Internation-
too. And have a very pleasant weekend,
al Ballroom at the Washington Hilton
and don't work too hard on that speech for
Hotel. Also speaking were Robert C. Pier-
Tuesday night.
point of CBS News, president, and Clifford
The President. All right, and good night
Evans of RKO General Broadcasting, in-
and enjoy yourselves. God bless all of you.
coming president, White House Correspond-
Mr. Pierpoint. Thank you.
ents Association.
Nomination of Bernard J. Wunder, Jr., To Be an Assistant Secretary
of Commerce
April 27, 1981
The President today announced his inten-
with the firm of Hull, Towill, Norman, Bar-
tion to nominate Bernard J. Wunder, Jr., to
rett & Johnson of Augusta, Ga. He was ad-
be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
ministrative assistant to Representative
Communications and Information.
James M. Collins (R-Tex.) in 1970 and legis-
Since February 1981 Mr. Wunder has
lative assistant in 1969-70.
been associate minority counsel, Committee
Mr. Wunder was graduated from The
on Energy and Commerce, House of Repre-
sentatives. In 1980-81 he was chief counsel
Citadel (B.A., 1965) and University of South
and staff director, Subcommittee on Com-
Carolina School of Law (J.D., 1973). He
munication, Committee on Energy and
served in the United States Air Force in
Commerce. Mr. Wunder was associate mi-
1965-69 and was awarded the Bronze Star
nority counsel, Subcommittee on Oversight
Medal and two Air Force Commendation
and Investigations, Committee on Interstate
Medals.
and Foreign Commerce, in 1979-80. He
Mr. Wunder is married, has two children,
served as minority counsel in 1975-79.
and resides in Dumfries, Va. He was born
In 1973-75 Mr. Wunder was an attorney
in Baltimore, Md., on December 13, 1943.
Nomination of Herman E. Roser To Be an Assistant Secretary of
Energy
April 27, 1981
The President today announced his inten-
nuclear weapons production program as
tion to nominate Herman E. Roser to be an
well as for energy research and develop-
Assistant Secretary of Energy (Defense Pro-
ment programs at Sandia National Labora-
grams).
tories and Los Alamos National Scientific
Mr. Roser has been Manager of the De-
Laboratory.
partment of Energy's Albuquerque Oper-
On September 17, 1980, Mr. Roser was
ations (ALO) since 1975. He had been
one of the first recipients of the Presidential
Deputy Manager in: 1972-75. As Manager of
rank awards as Meritorious Executive from
ALO, Mr. Roser was responsible for field
the Department of Energy. In August 1979,
coordination and direction of the nation's
he was awarded the DOE Exceptional Serv-
386
Why? The answer seems complicated, but it's really very simple: ignorance about the
nature of mental illness and the cost of treating it. A recent study showed that the majority of
Americans don't believe mental illness can be easily diagnosed or effectively treated.
Insurance plans claim providing parity for mental health care will send costs and premiums
skyrocketing. And businesses believe that employees will overuse mental health services,
making it impossible for employers to offer health insurance.
Now, there are strong arguments to be made on both sides of this issue. But I believe
that this is something we can do at a reasonable cost which will, over time, actually lower our
overall health care costs and benefit millions of Americans.
Increasingly, we understand that mental illness is no different from physical illness - it
can be accurately diagnosed and successfully treated. Thanks to groundbreaking new drugs
and better community health services, even people with the most severe mental illnesses have a
better chance than ever before to live healthier, productive lives. Our ability to treat
depression and bipolar disorder is greater even than our ability to treat some kinds of heart
disease.
Left untreated, mental illness can spiral out of control - and so can the costs of mental
health care. A recent World Bank study showed that mental illness is the second leading cause
of disability - and the economic burden that goes along with it - in the world; only heart
disease costs more. Here in the United States, untreated mental illness costs more than one
hundred billion dollars every year in decreased productivity and emergency medical care.
Depression alone costs our nation $30 billion every year. And the loss in human potential is
staggering.
Failing to provide access to mental health care can cost us plenty - but providing parity
for mental health care may even save money in the long run So far, 24 states and an untold
number of businesses have begun to provide parity for their citizens and employees -- without
experiencing notable increases in health care costs.
For instance, Ohio provides full parity for all its state employees - and has not seen
costs rise by so much as a dollar. Bank One, a commercial banking company, launched an
early mental health treatment program for its employees. Over a four year period, the
company saw its direct treatment costs for depression decrease by 60%. A recent study by
the National Institute of Mental Health found that health plans with parity may pay out less,
not more, for mental health services -- by giving people access to the care they need when
symptoms first appear - not after their illnesses require leave time or hospitalization.
As a nation founded on the ideal of equality, it is high time that America's health plans
serve all Americans equally. We must make it clear once and for all: mental illness is no
different from physical illness - and our nation's health plans should provide both with the
same quality coverage.
Jordan Tamagni
06/03/99 11:45:14 AM
Record Type: Record
To:
Joshua S. Gottheimer/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Subject: Radio for Waldman
Please note: the five minute limit is not in effect for this radio address. Please note as well, that the
original reason for the limit -- that WTOP in DC would only take it if it was 5 minutes or under - is also no
longer in effect. The station takes the address live and runs the whole thing irrespective of length.
Draft 6/3/99 11:45am
Tamagni
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON &
MRS. TIPPER GORE
RADIO ADDRESS ON MENTAL HEALTH
THE WHITE HOUSE
June 5, 1999
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I am here today with Tipper Gore, my advisor for
mental health policy. On Monday, together with Vice President Gore and the First Lady, we
will convene the first-ever White House Conference on Mental Health. Today, Tipper and I
want to talk about what we must do as a nation to help people with mental illness and their
families by fighting the stigma that prevents so many Americans from making the most of
their lives.
For more than six years, our administration has worked hard to widen the circle of
opportunity for every American. One of the toughest challenges we face is to make sure that
people living with mental illness have the same chance to live up to their potential as all
Americans. But the hard truth is, in too many of our communities - and in too many of our
hearts - mental illness is still misunderstood. For too many of our people, mental illness is
still an insurmountable obstacle to full participation in American life.
This persistent bias is not unique to our time or our nation - but as a nation founded on
the ideal of equality, we must use our time to change it. Tipper Gore is leading our efforts,
and I'd like to ask her to say a few words. [Mrs. Gore speaks.]
MRS. GORE: Thank you, Mr. President. Every day, in every community in
America, millions of Americans and their families face the problem of mental illness. In fact,
one in four Americans has a family member with a mental illness, more than one in five
Americans experiences some form of mental illness every year, and virtually every American
has a friend, a neighbor, or a colleague with mental illness. It is a problem that touches us all.
Why then is mental illness met with so much silence, stigma, and fear? We have come
so far in the past ten years in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness - but our attitudes
have lagged behind. I have talked to many people with mental illness about the effect these
outdated attitudes have on their everyday lives. Some tell me that the shame and stigma they
experience are harder to bear than the illness itself. Many live in fear that they will be turned
down as tenants, rejected for jobs, or kept out of the classroom if their condition becomes
known. And so too many people with mental illness do not seek the treatment that can change
their lives -- and the vicious cycle of ignorance, stigma, and bias continues.
If we are ever going to put an end to this vicious cycle, we have to take responsibility
and to dispel the myths about mental illness once and for all.
One of the most widely believed - and most damaging - myths is that mental illness is
a personal failure, not a physical disease. A recent study shows that the majority of
Americans don't believe that mental illness can be accurately diagnosed or treated. Nothing
could be further from the truth., Increasingly, we are learning that many mental disorders are
neurological in nature, like physical illnesses such as Parkinson's Disease. And like physical
illness, mental illness can be effectively treated - in some cases, even more effectively.
Remarkable new drugs and better community health services are making it possible for even
those with the most severe disorders to live healthier, more productive lives.
Another pervasive myth is that people with mental illness are violent. This
misperception - which nearly half of all Americans believe -- is perpetuated by prime-time
television shows and movies that consistently portray people with mental illness as murderers,
maniacs, and dangerous drifters. In fact, people with mental illness are no more prone to
violence than the rest of the population.
We should all be troubled by the misguided belief that children - especially teenagers -
don't suffer from "real" depression. The sad fact is that the majority of children who commit
suicide are profoundly depressed - but the majority of parents whose children took their own
lives say they didn't recognize that depression until it was too late. And senior citizens too
often accept the notion that depression is a natural part of aging - and don't reach out for help.
Finally, far too many Americans - not only private citizens but public policy makers -
believe that we cannot afford to treat mental illness. But with billions of dollars lost every
year in decreased productivity in the workplace due to untreated mental illness, we can't afford
not to. And studies show that extending equal health care coverage for mental and physical
illness would increase families' insurance premiums by less than one percent.
These are just a few of the worst myths about mental illness - and they don't only harm
people with mental disorders, they diminish us all. That is why we must break the silence
about mental illness - and as the President will tell us, government can lead the way. [The
President speaks.]
http://www.pub.whitehouse.gov/uri-res/I2R?um:pdi://oma.cop.gov.us/1999/6/8/3.tex.l
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 7, 1999
MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS
June 7, 1999
MYTH #1: Mental illness is not a disease and cannot be treated.
FACT:
Research in the last decade proves that mental illnesses are
diagnosable disorders of the brain. New brain imaging
technologies visually illustrate the differences in the
brains of healthy people and people with serious mental
disorders, such as schizophrenia. They show reductions in
the overall volume of the brain and distinct differences in
the way in which the brain processes information. There are
also now effective treatments for mental illness that, for
example, relieve symptoms for 80 percent of people with major
depression; control symptoms such as hallucination or
delusions for 70 percent of people with schizophrenia; and
alleviate symptoms for 50 to 60 percent of people with
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
MYTH #2: Mental illness doesn't happen to people like me or my family.
FACT:
Mental illness affects most extended American families. One
in five Americans suffer from mental illness at some point in
their life. These illnesses strike all kinds of families,
regardless of race, socioeconomic class, educational level or
place of residence. Schizophrenia occurs at equal rates
regardless of education, socioeconomic status, or culture.
Depression, panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorders
are also equal opportunity illnesses. Women suffer from
depression at twice the rate of men regardless of where they
live, their culture, or socioeconomic status. Five million
older Americans suffer from depression, and one in ten
children and adolescents suffer from some type of mental
illness. Mental illness can happen to anyone.
MYTH #B
Depression is a part of life that can be worked through
without seeking help.
Depression is a diagnosable, treatable illness that affects
19 million adult Americans each year. It is a disorder of
the brain that is characterized by serious and persistent
symptoms such as changes in sleep, appetite, and energy;
cognitive losses such as slowed thinking; and clearly
discernible feelings like irritability, hopelessness, and
guilt. The severity and duration of depression symptoms are
clearly distinguishable from sadness and mood swings that are
part of life. When untreated, depression can have serious
consequences. Depression is the cause of over two-thirds of
the 30,000 American suicides each year, and according to the
World Health Organization, it is the leading cause of
disability in the United States. However, there are
effective treatments available that have proven to have 80
percent success rate for people diagnosed with depression.
MYTH #4: Teenagers don't suffer from "real" mental illness; they are
just moody.
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FACT:
We now know that teenagers and even younger children, can and
do suffer from mental illness. One in ten children and
adolescents suffer from mental illness severe enough to cause
some level of impairment, but fewer than 20 percent of these
children receive treatment. Without treatment, schoolwork
may suffer, normal family and peer relationships may be
disrupted, and violent acts may occur. In fact, depression
may lead to suicide, which is the third leading cause of
death among young adults. However, recent studies indicate
that 60 percent of depressed teenagers will improve with
modern treatments.
MYTH #5: Depression is a part of aging.
FACT:
Research shows that depression is not a normal part of aging,
but that it is relatively prevalent among older people and
can have serious adverse consequences. Nearly 5 million of
the 32 million Americans age 65 and older suffer from
clinical depression. While only 13 percent of the U.S.
population, individuals ages 65 and older account for 20
percent of all suicide deaths, with white males being most
vulnerable. And older persons with other serious health
problems (strokes, hip fractures, heart conditions)
depression may delay recovery, cause refusal of treatment,
and lead to excessive disability and even death. However,
effective mental health treatment is available for older
Americans suffering from mental illness.
MYTH #6: Talk about suicide is an idle threat that need not be taken
seriously.
FACT:
People who admit to having thoughts and plans about suicide
and people who have attempted suicide are at increased risk
for completing suicide in the future. In a study of nearly
4,000 adults seeking psychiatric treatment, persons with a
history of severe suicidal thoughts were 14 times more likely
than other individuals to later commit suicide within four
years. Research has shown that 90 percent of all suicide
victims have had a mental or substance abuse disorder.
MYTH #7: We cannot afford to treat mental disorders.
FACT:
We cannot afford NOT to treat mental illness. Researchers
estimate that mental illnesses, including indirect costs such
as days lost from work, cost America tens of billions of
dollars each year. At the same time, businesses and states
that have implemented new strategies to treat these disorders
have not found notable increases in costs. For example, one
business, Bank One, spearheaded a comprehensive effort to
improve the company's ability to identify and get appropriate
treatment for employees with depression in a timely manner.
Between 1991 and 1995, the direct treatment costs for
depressive disorders decreased by 60 percent. Moreover, Ohio
implemented full mental health parity for its state employees
and did not find that this action increased costs at all.
MYTH #8: People with severe and persistent mental illnesses cannot be
productive members of society.
FACT:
People with psychiatric disabilities face many barriers, but
appropriate support services can help them to succeed. A
1995 study of the Employment Intervention Demonstration
Program run by the Center for Mental Health Services assessed
the effectiveness of employment strategies to assist
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individuals with severe mental illness get and keep
employment. It found that 55 percent of individuals
receiving such employment support services were working after
two years. Clearly, people with severe and persistent mental
illnesses want to be employed and productive, and given
appropriate treatment and support, they can be.
MYTH #9: Homeless people suffering from mental illness have little
chance of recovery.
FACT:
There are effective treatments for homeless people with
mental illness. While one-third of homeless Americans suffer
from an untreated mental illness, research demonstrates a
decrease in homelessness when outreach to these individuals
is coupled with case management that provides them with
appropriate medical treatment and connects them to housing
and other supportive services. One study reported a 45
percent reduction in the number of days of homelessness after
three months of this type of treatment. Over a year, clients
had a 70 percent increase in the number of days worked,
demonstrating that homeless persons with mental illnesses can
make substantial improvements in the overall quality of their
lives.
MYTH #10: There is no hope for people with mental illness.
FACT:
These illnesses, which will affect one in five Americans, can
be extremely debilitating. However, research proves that
mental illnesses are diagnosable and treatable disorders of
the brain. Eighty percent of people treated for severe
depression and 70 percent or people treated for schizophrenia
show positive responses to treatment -- far higher rates than
for many physical illnesses. The challenge is to ensure that
Americans with mental illness recognize these disorders and
get the help that they need.
###
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Public Papers of the Presidents, October 5, 1993
Public Papers of the Presidents
October 5, 1993
CITE: 29 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 2009
LENGTH: 651 words
HEADLINE: Proclamation 6603 -- Mental Illness Awareness Week, 1993
HIGHLIGHT:
By the President of the United States of America
BODY:
A Proclamation
Almost 50 million Americans have serious emotional disorders or illnesses. The economic and human
costs of these disorders are staggering. Treatment expenses and lost productivity cost the United
States over one hundred billion dollars a year. The pain and suffering caused by mental illness are
immeasurable for the individuals afflicted and their families.
The consequences of untreated mental illnesses and emotional disturbances are clear. Suicide is 30
times more common among people who are clinically depressed than among the general population.
Persons with mental illness often live in poverty and are at risk for homelessness and disease. The
mentally ill may find themselves in jail or prison, not for any criminal act, but rather because no
other facilities are available to respond to psychiatric emergencies.
Research has led to major advances, not only in the development of treatments for mental illnesses,
but also in the understanding of the needs of the individuals who live with mental illnesses. With
appropriate care and support, many people who have these disorders can live productive and fulfilling
lives. Unfortunately, less than one-third of all individuals in need of mental health services actually
receive appropriate care. Children, probably the most vulnerable among the mentally ill population,
are the least likely to receive care, with less than one-fifth of those in need of services receiving
them. The barriers to effective treatment are numerous. Individuals may be unaware that treatment
can help them or may be hesitant to seek help for fear of discrimination or ridicule. In many
instances, individuals actually lack access to appropriate services. We must work to remove the
stigma of mental illness and to educate the public about the availability and effectiveness of mental
health treatment.
The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration n the Department of Health and Human Services, was created in 1992
to provide vigorous Federal leadership in the development and delivery of mental health services.
CMHS plays a unique role in working with other Federal agencies and departments whose programs
and policies affect the lives of the mentally ill, their families, and their communities. CMHS also
works closely with State and local governments and the private sector to guarantee continuity,
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integration of services, and access to comprehensive systems of care. CMHS supports policy studies,
evaluations, and assessments on service delivery issues that are critical for Federal, State, and local
policymakers as they organize and finance systems of care.
In recognition of the importance of improving the delivery of mental health services and of educating
the American public about the needs of individuals with mental illness, the Congress, by Senate Joint
Resolution 61, has designated the week of October 3 through October 9, 1993, as Mental Illness
Awareness Week.
Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
the week beginning October 3, 1993, as Mental Illness Awareness Week. I call upon all citizens of the
United States to observe this week with ceremonies and activities to increase the Nation's
understanding and acceptance of people with mental illness and to encourage recognition of their
need for a broad array of treatment services.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and eighteenth.
William J. Clinton
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:31 a.m., October 6, 1993]
NOTE: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 7.
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Jordan Tamagni
06/06/99 07:05:54 PM
Record Type: Record
To:
Joshua S. Gottheimer/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Subject: Draft Changes To Come
Draft 6/6/99 7:00pm
Tamagni
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS FOR PLENARY SESSION
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON MENTAL HEALTH
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
June 7, 1999
I want to start by saying what a remarkable experience this has been so far. I think
there has been so much interest in this conference because the issue of mental illness is not an
abstract problem far removed from real life - it is a real problem that touches the lives of
millions of Americans.
This is a moment of great promise for our nation - and it is a moment of great hope for
people living with mental illness. We know so much more about mental illness then we ever
have before. And so one of the reasons we wanted to have this conference was to talk about
the path we've traveled and map out our course for the future.
Of course, none of us would be here today without the remarkable commitment of one
woman: Tipper Gore. I asked Tipper to be my national advisor for mental illness because she
knows more - and she cares more about this issue than anyone I know. She started talking
to me about mental health more than six years ago. She has dedicated herself to making
mental health a priority in our public policy and our private lives. I thank her on behalf of the
countless Americans she has helped by making their voices heard at the highest levels.
I also want to thank all the people who have shared their stories here with us today.
They are stories of struggle -- but they are also stories of courage and the endurance of the
human spirit. They are stories that tell us how far we have come -- and how far we must go to
ensure that Americans with mental illness have the same opportunity to make the most of their
lives as all Americans.
In so many ways, this has always been our challenge -- the challenge of America: to
widen the circle of opportunity for all our people, to deepen the meaning of our freedom, to
preserve and promote our nation's most enduring ideal: that we are all created equal. It
doesn't matter if we are talking about race or religion, ethnicity or economic status,
disadvantage or disability. In America, we are judged not by how we begin but by what we
have the drive and the dream to become.
As we have heard so many times today, we don't always live up to this ideal.
Throughout our history, people with mental illness have struggled to be treated fairly - and to
get the treatment they need. But throughout our history, we have met the challenge of
helping people with mental illness by appealing to our own better nature - and drawing on our
deep belief in equality.
One hundred and fifty years ago, America faced the most basic challenge: ensuring that
people with mental illness were treated as human beings. The great 19th Century reformer
Dorothea Dix first exposed the deplorable conditions in poorhouses and prisons, where people
with mental illness were locked in cages and chained in cellars. Her commitment to humane
care made Americans realize that we have a responsibility to help people with mental
disabilities.
Thirty years ago, America faced the challenge of ensuring that our mental health care
system treated people with mental illness as individuals, with equal rights to live fuller lives.
Journalists secretly filmed the nightmare world inside some our nation's mental hospitals and
played it on the evening news. Americans were heartbroken and horrified by what they saw -
and they demanded a better system of community care for people with mental illness.
Today, we face a new challenge - the challenge of ensuring that our changing health
care system serves the needs of people with mental illness so they can fully participate in
American life.
Our administration has worked hard to break down the barriers that stand in the way of
so many people living with mental illness. On Friday, I directed all federal agencies to ensure
that their hiring practices give people with mental disabilities the same employment
opportunities as people with physical disabilities. Yesterday, I announced that later this year
And
Tipper will unveil, our new campaign to fight stigma and dispel myths about mental illness.
one
But as anyone who has ever experienced mental illness or watched a family member
struggle with it can tell you, nothing is more important than early access to treatment.
Unfortunately, too many people with mental illness are not getting that treatment, because too
many of our nation's health plans and businesses do not provide equal coverage or parity
for mental and physical illness.
I have heard heartbreaking stories from people who are trying hard to live their lives
right, taking care of their families, paying their taxes and paying into their health plans like all
of us. Then one day, mental illness strikes. When they try to get help, they learn that the
health plans they've been counting on -- the health plans that would cover treatment for high
blood pressure or heart disease strictly limit mental health care or don't cover it at all.
THE PRESIDENT: Tipper has done an outstanding job in drawing attention to the
problem of mental illness, and her decision to talk about her own struggle with depression is a
testament to her personal courage and commitment. Today, I am pleased to announce that she
will continue to lead our efforts. Later this year, together with the Surgeon General, Tipper
will unveil a new national campaign to fight stigma wherever we find it - from the workplace
to the playground, in every community. Together, we will replace stigma with understanding,
and fear with new hope for the future. Together, we will build a stronger nation for the 21st
Century, leaving no one behind.
Thanks for listening.
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Public Papers of the Presidents
Public Papers of the Presidents
June 5, 1999
CITE: 35 Weekly Comp. Pres.
LENGTH: 860 words
HEADLINE. The President's Radio Address
BODY:
The President. Good morning. I'm here today with Tipper Gore, my adviser for mental health policy.
On Monday, together with Vice President Gore and the First Lady, we will convene the first White
House Conference on Mental Health. Today Tipper and I want to talk about what we must do as a
nation to fight the stigma that prevents so many Americans with mental illness from making the
most of their lives.
For more than 6 years now, our administration has worked hard to widen the circle of opportunity for
every American. That means making sure people living with mental illness have the same chance to
live up to their God-given potential as all other Americans.
But the hard truth is, in too many of our communities and in too many of our hearts, mental illness
is misunderstood and feared. Too many people with mental illness are denied the opportunity to
fully participate in American life. Bias against people with mental illness is not unique in our time or
our Nation. But as a nation founded on the idea of equality, we must use our time to change it.
Tipper Gore is leading our efforts, and I'd like to ask her to say a few words.
Tipper Gore. Thank you, Mr. President.
Every day, in every community in America, millions of Americans and their families face the problem
of mental illness. In fact, more than one in five Americans experiences some form of mental
illness every year, from depression to schizophrenia; one in four Americans has a family member
with a mental illness; and virtually every American has a friend, a neighbor, or a colleague with a
mental illness.
We know that mental illness is not something that happens to other people. It touches us all. Why
then is mental illness met with so much misunderstanding and fear? We have come so far in the
diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, but our attitudes have lagged far behind.
I have talked to many people about the impact these outdated attitudes have on their lives. Some
tell me that the shame and stigma they experience are harder to bear than the illness itself. Many
live in fear that they will lose their jobs, their home, or their health benefits if their condition
becomes known. And so too many people with mental illness don't seek treatment that can change
their lives, and the vicious cycle of silence, ignorance, and stigma continues. If we are ever going to
put an end to this vicious cycle we have to take responsibility and dispel the myths about mental
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illness once and for all
One of the most widely believed, and most damaging, myths is that mental illness is a personal
failure, not a physical disease. A recent study shows that the majority of Americans don't believe that
mental illness can be accurately diagnosed or treated. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Increasingly, we are learning that many mental disorders are biological in nature and can be
medically treated in some cases, more effectively than illnesses like heart disease. New drugs and
better community health services are making it possible for even those with the most severe
disorders to live healthier, more productive lives.
A closely related and equally troubling myth is that young people don't suffer from real depression;
they're just naturally moody, we think. Again, this is simply untrue. We recently learned that even
very young children experience serious clinical depression, and it should be taken seriously.
Consider this: The majority of children who commit suicide are profoundly depressed, and the
majority of parents whose children took their own lives say they didn't recognize that depression until
it was too late. And senior citizens, too, often accept the notion that depression is a natural part of
aging and don't reach out for help.
These myths don't just harm people with mental disorders; they hurt all of us. That is why we must
all do our part to break the silence about mental illness.
The President. We must start by talking honestly about the problem, and this Monday we'll take an
important step in the right direction. Tipper's own decision to discuss her struggle with depression is
a testament to her courage and commitment to change attitudes and build understanding about
mental illness.
I'm pleased to announce that later this year, together with the Surgeon General, Tipper will unveil a
major new campaign to combat stigma and dispel myths about mental illness. With new public
service announcements and strong partners in the private sector, we'll reach millions of Americans
with a simple message: Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us
all.
Together, we will replace stigma with acceptance, ignorance with understanding, fear with new hope
for the future. Together, we will build a stronger nation for the new century, leaving no one behind.
Thanks for listening.
NOTE: The address was recorded at 4:50 p.m. on June 4 in the Oval Office at the White House for
broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on June 5. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
Secretary on June 4 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: July 13, 1999
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Public Papers of the Presidents
Public Papers of the Presidents
June 7, 1999
CITE: 35 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1052
LENGTH: 2824 words
HEADLIN Remarks at the White House Conference on Mental Health
BODY:
The President. Thank you very much. I want to, first of all, thank all of you for coming, the
Members of Congress of both parties, members of our administration, but the larger community
represented here in this room and at all of our sites.
This has been a truly remarkable experience, I think, for all of us -- stimulating, moving, humbling. I
think it's because it is so real, and it has been too long since we have come together over something
that's this real, that touches so many of us.
This is a moment of great hope for people who are living with mental illness and, therefore, a
moment of great promise for our Nation We know a lot about it; we know a lot more than most of us
know we know, as we found out today. And we wanted to have this conference to talk about how far
we've come and also to look forward into the future.
We all know we wouldn't be here today without the commitment of Tipper Gore. I asked her to be my
national adviser for mental illness because she knows more and cares more about this issue than
anyone else I personally know. She has dedicated herself to making this a priority of national policy
and private life. And I think we are all very, very much in her debt.
I would also like to say one more word about Tipper and about the Vice President, about the way
they have dealt with this issue as a family, and the gifts they have given to America -- going back to
before the time when we all became a team in the election of 1992, when they began their annual
family conferences. All people in public life talk about family values. No couple in public life has ever
done remotely as much to try to figure out what it would mean to turn those family values into real,
concrete improvements in the lives of ordinary families as Al and Tipper Gore have over a long period
of time.
I sort of feel like an anticlimax at this convention -- not for the reasons the-political reporters think
[laughter] but because the real story here is in the people who have already talked, in their stories
of courage and struggle, of endurance and hope. Americans with mental illness should have the
same opportunity all Americans have to live to the fullest of their God given ability. They are,
perhaps, just the latest in our enduring challenge as a people to continue the work of our Founders
to widen the circle of opportunity, to deepen the meaning of freedom, to strengthen the bonds of our
community.
But what a challenge it has been. Clearly, people with mental illnesses have always had to struggle
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to be treated fairly and to get the treatment they need -- and they still do. We have made a lot of
progress by appealing to the better angels of our nature, by drawing on our deep belief in equality,
but also by hearing these stories.
So again, I want to thank Mike and John and Jennifer and Robin and Dr. Burton. I thank Dr. Hyman,
Dr. Koplewicz. I thank Lynn Rivers.
I think all of us can remember some moment in our lives where, because of something that happened
in our families or something someone we knew wrote or said, we began to look at this issue in a
different way. I, myself, feel particularly indebted to the courage of my friend the great author
William Styron for writing the book he wrote about his own depression. But I think that it is not
enough to be moved. We have to have hope, and then we have to have some sense about where
we're going.
It was no accident that all of you were clapping loudly when Dr. Hyman showed us pictures of the
brain. I remember when Hillary and I first met and began going together 28 years ago, and she was
working at the Yale Child Study Center and the hospital, and we began to talk about all of this; like a
lot of young students at the time, I had been very influenced by Thomas Koontz's book, "The
Structure of Scientific Revolution." And I began to wonder whether we would ever develop a
completely unified theory of mind and body, if we would ever learn that at root there are no artificial
dividing lines between our afflictions. The human genome project, as you've heard explained today,
offers us the best chance we have ever had to have our science match our aspirations in learning to
deal with this and all other issues.
So this has been for me not simply emotionally rewarding but intellectually reaffirming. And I hope it
has been for all of you. We've been at this for quite a long while. A hundred and fifty years ago we
had to learn to treat people with mental illness as basic human beings. Thirty years ago we had to
learn that people with mental illness had to be treated as individuals, not just a faceless mob.
I'll never forget when journalists secretly filmed the nightmare world inside some of our Nation's
mental hospitals. Americans were heartbroken and horrified by what they saw, and we began to
develop a system of community care for people. Today, we have to make sure that we actually
provide the care all of our people need, so they can live full lives and fully participate in our common
life
We've worked hard to break down some of the barriers for people living with mental illness. On
Friday, as many of you know, I directed all Federal agencies to ensure that their hiring practices give
people with mental disabilities the same employment opportunities as people with physical
disabilities. On Saturday Tipper and I did the radio address together and announced that Tipper will
unverbour new campaign to fight stigma and dispel myths about mental illness.
But all of you who have had this in your lives, or in your families' lives, know that attitudes are fine,
but treatment matters most. Unfortunately, too many people with mental illness are not getting
that treatment because too many of our health plans and businesses do not provide equal coverage
of parity for mental and physical illness or because of the inadequacy of Government funding and
policy supports.
I have heard heartbreaking stories from people who are trying hard to take care of their families --
and one day mental illness strikes. And when they try to get help, they learn the health plans
they've been counting on, the plans that would cover treatment for high blood pressure or heart
disease, strictly limit mental health care and don't cover it at all. Why? Because of ignorance about
the nature of mental illness, the cost of treating it, and as Dr. Burton told us, the cost of not
treating it.
A recent study showed the majority of Americans don't believe mental illness can accurately be
diagnosed or effectively treated If we don't get much else out of this historic conference than
changing the attitudes of the majority, it will have been well done, just on that score.
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Insurance plans claim providing parity for mental health will send costs and premiums skyrocketing.
Businesses believe employees will over-use mental health services, making it impossible for
employers to offer health insurance. Now, there may be arguments to be made at the margins on
both sides of these issues, but I believe that providing parity is something we can do at reasonable
cost, benefit millions of Americans, and over the long run, have a healthier country and lower health
care costs.
As we've heard again today, mental illness can be accurately diagnosed, successfully treated, just
as physical illness. New drugs, better community health services are helping even people with the
most severe mental illnesses lead healthier, more productive lives. Our ability to treat depression
and bipolar disorder is greater even than our ability to treat some kinds of heart disease.
But left untreated, mental illness can spiral out of control, and so can the cost of mental health
care. A recent World Bank study showed that mental illness is a leading cause of disability and
economic burden that goes along with it.
Here in the United States, untreated mental illness costs tens of billions of dollars every year. The
loss in human potential is staggering. So far, 24 States and a large number of businesses have begun
to provide parity for their citizens and their employees. Reports show that parity is not notably
increasing health care costs. For instance, Ohio provides full parity for all its State employees and has
not seen costs rise.
As we heard, Bank One's employee mental health treatment program has helped it reduce direct
treatment costs for depression by 60 percent. As a nation founded on the ideal of equality, it is high
time that our health plans treat all Americans equally. Government can and must lead the way to
meet this challenge.
In 1996 I called on Congress to make parity for mental health a priority. I was proud to sign into
law the Mental Health Parity Act, which prohibited health plans for setting lower annual and lifetime
limits for mental health care than for other medical services.
Again I want to say, since we have so many Congressmen here, Tipper Gore was very instrumental in
that. But I was also deeply moved by the broad and deep bipartisan support by Members of Congress
in both Houses who had personal experiences that they shared with other Members which helped to
change America.
The law was a good first step. And I'm pleased to announce, with Secretary Herman here, that the
Labor Department will now launch a nationwide effort to educate Americans about their rights under
the existing law, because a lot of people don't even know it passed.
But when insurers can get around the law by limiting the number of doctor's visits for mental
condition, when families face higher copayments for mental health care than for physical ailments,
when people living with mental illness are forced to wait until their sickness incapacities them to
get the treatment they need, we know we have to do more.
So where do we go from here? First, I am using my authority as President to ensure that our Nation's
largest private insurer, the Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan, provides full parity for mental
health.
Today Janice Lachance, the Director of OPM, will inform nearly 300 health plans across America that
to participate in our program, they must provide equal coverage for mental and physical illnesses.
With this single step, 9 million Americans will have health insurance that provides the same
copayments for mental health conditions as for any other health condition, the same access to
specialists, the same coverage for medication, the same coverage for outpatient care.
Thirty-six years ago President Kennedy said we had to return mental health to the mainstream of
American medicine. Thirty-six years ago he said it, and we're still waiting. Today, we have to take
more steps to return Americans to the mainstream of American life. I ask Congress now to do its part
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by holding hearings on mental health parity.
The second thing we have to do is to reach out to the people who are most in need. Today I've asked
HCFA, the Health Care Finance Administration, to do more to encourage States to better coordinate
mental health services, from medication to programs targeted at people with the most serious
mental disorders, for the millions of people with mental illness who rely on Medicaid.
Third, we must do more to help people with mental illness reenter the work force. I asked Congress
to pass the "Work Incentives Improvement Act, which will allow people with disabilities to purchase
health insurance at a reasonable cost when they go back to work. No American should ever have to
choose between keeping health care and supporting their family.
Fourth, with an ever increasing number of people with mental disabilities in managed care plans, it is
more important than ever for Congress to pass the Patients' Bill of Rights.
Fifth, this year we requested the largest increase in history, some $ 70 million to help more
communities provide more mental health services. And I asked Congress to fully fund this proposal.
The absence of services and adequate funding and Institutional support for sometimes even the most
severe mental health problems is a source of profound worry to those of you who actually know
what is going on out there.
I know that I was incredibly moved by the cover story in the New York Times Sunday magazine a
couple of weeks ago, and I know a lot of you were. And I read that story very carefully. I talked to
Hillary about it; I talked to Al and Tipper about it; and I asked myself then I am still asking myself
what more can we do to deal with some of the unbelievable tragedies that were plainly avoidable,
clearly documented in that important article? This is a good beginning, and I hope that Congress will
fund it.
And finally, it is profoundly significant what we have heard about children. We have to do more to
reach out to troubled young people. One out of ten children suffers from some form of mental
illness, from mild depression to serious mental disease. But fewer than 20 percent receive proper
treatment.
One of the most sobering statistics that I have heard in all of this is that a majority of the young
people who commit suicide now the third leading cause of death in teenagers, especially gay
teenagers are profoundly depressed. Yet the majority of parents whose children took their own
lives say they did not recognize their children's depression until it was too late.
The tragedy at Columbine High School, as Hillary said, was for all of us a wakeup call. We simply
can't afford to wait until tragedy strikes to reach out to troubled young people. Today I'm pleased to
announce a new national school safety training program for teachers, schools, and communities to
help us identify troubled children and provide them better school mental health services.
This new program is the result of a remarkable partnership by the National Education Association,
EchoStar, and members of the Learning First Alliance, joined by the Departments of Education,
Justice, and Health and Human Services. This fall the Vice President and Tipper will kick off the first
training session, which will be transmitted via satellite to more than 1,000 communities around our
Nation.
We're all very grateful to EchoStar, a satellite company based in Littleton, Colorado, and its partner,
Future View, for helping make this possible by donating satellite dishes to 1,000 school districts, and
40 hours of free time. I want to ask businesses and broadcasters all around our country to follow
EchoStar's lead and donate their time, expertise, and equipment to help ensure that every school
district in America can participate in this important training program.
Now I want to introduce two of the people who are showing this kind of leadership: the president of
the NEA, Bob Chase; and Bill Vanderpoel, the vice president of EchoStar. I'd like to ask them to come
up and talk a little bit about what they're going to do. Let's give them a big hand. [Applause]
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[At this point, Robert F. Chase, president, National Education Association, and William Vanderpoel,
vice president for business development, EchoStar Communications Corp., made brief remarks.]
The President. Thank you both very much. Now, I'd like to ask Tipper to come up one more time so
we can all tell her how grateful we are, and let me say this. You probably saw a little bit by the way
she positioned Al on time and she positioned Hillary on time, I think I'm going to start calling her
"Sarge" behind her back. [Laughter] She has driven us all. We've been on time; we've been at the
place we were supposed to be; we say what we were supposed to say; we finished on time. So she
not only has great sensitivity; she has phenomenal organizing ability, and we're very grateful for her.
Thank you. [Applause]
Now, I'd like to ask Hillary and the Vice President to come over, too. [Applause] Thank you all very
much. God bless you.
NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 2 p.m. in the Blackburn Auditorium at Howard
University. In his remarks, he referred to the following conference participants: Mike Wallace,
co-editor of the CBS news program "60 Minutes" and a clinical depression sufferer; schizophrenia
sufferer John Wong; anorexia nervosa sufferer Jennifer Gates; Robin Kitchell, whose son suffers from
bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorder, and learning disabilities; Dr. Wayne Burton, M.D., first
vice president/corporate medical director, Bank One Corp.; Dr. Steven E. Hyman, M.D., Director,
National Institute of Mental Health; and Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., founder and director, New
York University Child Study Center. The transcript made available by the Office of the press Secretary
also included the remarks of Tipper Gore, Vice President AI Gore, Dr. Burton, the First Lady, Dr.
Hyman, and Dr. Koplewicz. A portion of these remarks could not be verified because the tape was
incomplete.
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Government can and must lead the way to meet this challenge. In 1996, I called on the
Congress to make parity for mental health a priority. I was proud to sign into law the Mental
Health Parity Act, which prohibited health plans from setting lower lifetime limits for mental
health care than for other medical services.
This law was a good first step - and I am pleased to announce that the Department of
Labor will launch a nationwide effort to educate Americans about their rights under the
existing law.
But when insurers can get around the law by limiting the number of doctor's visits for
mental conditions when families face higher co-payments for mental health care than for
physical
illnesses when people living with mental illness are forced to wait until their
sickness incapacitates them to get the treatment they need - we know we must do more.
First, I am using my authority as President to ensure that our nation's largest private
insurer - the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan - provides full parity for mental health.
Today, the OPM will inform nearly 300 health plans across the country that if they want to
participate in the program, they must provide equal coverage for mental and physical illness.
With this single step, 9 million Americans will have health insurance that provides the same
co-payments for a mental health condition as for any health condition the same access to
specialists the same coverage for medication and the same coverage for outpatient care.
Thirty six years ago, President Kennedy said that we had to "return mental health to
the mainstream of American medicine." I call on Congress to do its part by holding hearings
mental health parity legislation that will help return more Americans with mental illness to the
mainstream of American life.
We must not stop there.
The second thing we must do is reach out to people in the most need. Today, I have
asked HCFA to do more to encourage states to provide more co-ordinated mental health
services for the millions of people with mental illness who rely on Medicaid - from medication
to programs targeted at people with the most serious mental disorders.
Third, we must also do more to help people with mental disabilities to re-enter the
workforce. I call on the Congress to pass the Jeffords-Kennedy legislation that allows people
with disabilities to purchase health insurance at a reasonable cost when they go back to work.
No American should ever have to chose between keeping their health insurance and supporting
their families.
Fourth, with an ever-increasing number of people with mental disabilities in managed
care plans, it is more important than ever for Congress to pass a comprehensive, enforceable
Patients Bill of Rights that ensures critical protections for people with mental illness, such as
the right to see a specialist, continuity of care, and an independent appeals process.
Fifth, as [Tipper/VP Gore] said, this year I requested the largest increase in history for
mental health block grants to the states - a $70 million commitment to help communities
provide mental health services. I call on Congress to fully fund my proposal, and give more
American families the mental health care help they need to thrive.
Finally, and perhaps most important of all, we must do more to reach out to troubled
young people. As Tipper talked about earlier, we tend to believe that children don't suffer
from mental illness like depression, they're just moody. In fact, 1 out of 10 children and
adolescents suffer from some form of mental illness - from mild depression to eating disorders
to serious mental disease - but fewer than 20 percent of these children ever receive treatment.
One of the most sobering statistics I have ever heard is that the majority of young
people who commit suicide - the third leading cause of death in teenagers - are profoundly
depressed, but the majority of parents whose children took their own lives say they didn't
recognize that depression until it was too late.
The tragedy at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado was a wake up call to all
Americans that we simply cannot afford to wait until tragedy strikes to reach out to troubled
young people. Today, I am pleased to announce a new national school safety training
program that will help teachers in every community in America identify the warning signs of
mental illness in children.
This October, the Vice President and Tipper will kick off the first training session,
which will be transmitted via satellite to more than 1000 communities around the country.
This groundbreaking new program is the result of a remarkable partnership between our
administration and four exceptional organizations -- the National Education Association, the
Parent Teacher Association, the American Psychological Association, and EchoStar, a satellite
company from Littleton, Colorado which is donating satellite dishes to 1,000 school districts
and 40 hours of free air time.
I call on businesses and broadcasters around the country to follow EchoStar's lead and
donate their time, expertise, and equipment to help ensure that every school district in
America can participate in this important training program.
Now, I'd like to introduce two of the people who are showing that kind of leadership:
Bob Chase, Director of the NEA, and by [TK], and President of EchoStar. I'd like to ask
them to say a few words from the audience.
[Bob Chase and Echostar representative speak from their seats in the audience.]
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for all you are doing. You remind us all that when we
work together; we really can build stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger
America for the 21st Century.
And now, I'd like to ask Tipper to join me here at the podium so I can tell her again
how grateful we all are to her for bringing us here today - for keeping us all in line when we
went on too long and keeping the ball rolling - and most of all for her passionate advocacy on
behalf of people living with mental illness. Tipper, with you in our corner, we can't lose.
[Mrs. Gore joins POTUS at the podium to say goodbye].
Thank you all for being here today and God bless you.
###
04/01/1996 01:38
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The Surgeon General's Mental Health Report has raised our nation's awareness and has helped
erase the stigma associated with illnesses of the mind. For those who battle mental illness, and
for their families, the scientific advances of the last decade are godsends.
We would not be where we are today without agencies like Didi Hirsch Community Mental
Health Center. In 1942 - almost 60 years ago - the Center began serving the community. At
that time, many people lacked compassion or hope for individuals battling mental illness.
As one of the original Community Mental Health Centers in Los Angeles and one of a few that
remains today, the Center has been a safety net for thousands of mentally ill adults released from
state hospitals since the 1970's. The Center also is a founding member of the Los Angeles
County Child Abduction Task Force. And, Didi Hirsch's Suicide Prevention Center was the first
24-hour crisis line dedicated to suicide prevention in the United States. In the last 40 years, it
has helped more than 75 communities start similar programs.
I commend Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center for its leadership and for recognizing
the extraordinary contributions of Dr. Satcher and Ambassador Rubin. Your life saving and life
changing services have helped over half a million children and adults.
Contact:
Kita Curry, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Heal
(310) 751-5423
26
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Draft 04/23/00 5:30pm
Gottheimer/Silver
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS FOR EASTER EGG ROLL
THE WHITE HOUSE
April 24, 2000
Hillary and I always look forward to this day. The first Eater/Egg Roll was held at the White
House nearly 125 years ago, when Rutherford B. Hayes was President. And every year, it
gives America's children an opportunity to come to the White House and be a part of this
wonderful tradition.
In a just few moments, we're going to start the first Eater Egg roll of the new millennium.
Before we do. want to join Hillary in thanking all of the sponsors who helped make this
celebration 1 also want to thank all the volunteers who have worked so hard -- morethan
[500] of you this year - especially those who have joined Hillary and me every year.
This year, millions of children in classrooms, homes, and libraries around the world will be
able to use their computers to join us online, by cybercast, for this Easter Egg Roll. That's
more people than have attended the White House Easter Egg Roll s since 1878.
Hillary and I have always tried to make this an occasion for family fun and for family
learning, because we all know how important it is for children -- especially very young
children -- to learn together with their parents.
This year's activities will show you how much fun learning can be. I am especially proud of
our "Prescription for Learning" initiative. Launched by the First Lady three years ago, and
with the help of Scholastic, this is-an innovative effort that works jointly with health care
professionals and librarians to emphasize the importance of reading to children. And there
are also storytelling booths, egg decorating contests, and even historical characters
representing some of our greatest presidents.
Now, I'm going to blow the whistle to start another Easter Egg Roll. But before I dol want
to thank our master of ceremonies, Bernie Fairbanks, who has been as much an institution as
this event. While Bernie has joined me every year now, he's actually been attending the roll
since Franklin Roosevelt was President. So Bernie, as a token of our appreciation, I'd like
you to have this official White House Easter Whistle.
Is everyone ready? On your marks, get ready, set GO!
Didi Hirsch
Community
Mental Hulth
center
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PR Newswire, July 16, 1998
Copyright 1998 PR Newswire Association, Inc.
PR Newswire
July 16, 1998, Thursday
SECTION: Financial News
DISTRIBUTION: TO BUSINESS AND CITY EDITORS
LENGTH: 556 words
HEADLINE: The Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation Donates a Truckload of Groceries and Health Care
Items to the DiDi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES, July 16
BODY:
The Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation announced today its presentation of a truckload of groceries to
the DiDi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center. The donated products will be dispersed to more
than a dozen residential and day program centers operated by DiDi Hirsch CMHC throughout Los
Angeles County.
In keeping with the Ralphs Grocery Company philosophy to contribute to the communities in which
its supermarkets operate, The Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation has dedicated itself to supporting
programs that benefit youth, families and the elderly.
"The DiDi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center was chosen for this donation because it has an
outstanding record of service to the working poor and uninsured in our community," said Ari Swiller,
executive director of The Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation. "For us, this is more than a donation, it
is an investment in people."
The Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation's donation, which includes more than $50,000 worth of grocery
and health care items, will be distributed to individuals and families serviced by the 15 DiDi Hirsch
CMHC locations throughout Los Angeles County.
Robert Johnston, executive director of DiDi Hirsch CMHC, accepted the donation at a special
ceremony held at the mental health center's headquarters in Culver City at 4760 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Volunteers, clients and staff from the Center helped to unload the grocery items. The donated
products will be picked up and used by the Center's clients served by its outpatient and residential
treatment locations.
"We are excited that companies such as Ralphs Grocery Company are recognizing and supporting the
important work of the DiDi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center," said Johnston.
The DiDi Hirsch CMHC has been providing a safety net for the working poor and uninsured in Los
Angeles County since 1942. The Center currently encompasses 15 locations, providing mental health
and substance abuse services to 25,000 children, families, adults and seniors each year. The
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Center provides outpatient and residential treatment, crisis intervention, a 24-hour suicide
prevention hot line, and educational programs and training for mental health professionals.
The Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation, which was established in 1991 to enhance the quality of life in
Southern California, reflects Ralphs Grocery Company's role as the region's largest supermarket
company and its philosophy of giving back to the communities in which its supermarkets operate.
The Foundation has assisted hundreds of non-profit organizations, schools and community groups
from San Diego to Santa Barbara with grants, in excess of $10 million. Thousands of people have
benefited as a result of this support.
Founded in 1873, Ralphs Grocery Company is the oldest, largest and one of the most successful
supermarket companies in Southern California. The company currently operates 314 full-service
conventional Ralphs and Hughes supermarkets and 82 price-impact Food 4 Less warehouse stores in
Southern California. Ralphs Grocery Company is a subsidiary of Fred Meyer, Inc., a Portland,
Oregon-based retailer with more than 800 food stores in 11 western states.
SOURCE Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation
CONTACT: Terry O'Neil, Manager, Corporate Communications for Ralphs
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Los Angeles Times, November 29, 1995
Copyright 1995 The Times Mirror Company
Los Angeles Times
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November 29, 1995, Wednesday, Home Edition
SECTION: Metro; Part B; Page 3; Metro Desk
LENGTH: 724 words
HEADLINE: FAMILY SERVICE OF L.A. TO MERGE WITH DIDI HIRSCH CENTER IN 1996
BYLINE: By By SHAWN HUBLER, TIMES STAFF WRITER
BODY:
In a sign that the economic forces squeezing big business have trickled down to the nonprofit
sector as well, two of Los Angeles' oldest and best-known social service agencies said Tuesday that
they will merge next year.
Family Service of Los Angeles, which has aided needy families since 1930, and Didi Hirsch
Community Mental Health Center, the oldest walk-in mental health clinic in the West, will open in
January as a single counseling and social service agency.
The new $11.5-million entity will retain the Didi Hirsch name with Family Service as a subsidiary,
and will be among the broadest-based social service agencies in Los Angeles County, said Millard
Ryker, executive director of Didi Hirsch.
The two organizations -- and the scores of others like them are familiar outposts for the poor and
troubled of the Los Angeles area. Immigrant couples struggling to adjust to this country, single
mothers struggling to raise their children, battered women, children frightened by quakes, high
school students reeling from the aftermath of drive-by shootings all have been helped and
consoled by places such as these.
Both agencies primarily serve people who cannot afford private counseling and have satellite offices
scattered throughout the county. The new joint agency will continue to operate 15 of those sites;
only one a Family Service center in Tarzana is expected to close as a result of the merger.
Officials familiar with the nonprofit industry called the merger a sign of a coming trend. In the past
few years, corporate downsizing and layoffs have dramatically reduced charitable donations at a time
when the needs of the poor are increasing and government is slashing public aid.
Nonprofit agencies traditionally have been loath to merge for fear that corporate donors and
foundations might scale down their grants. But reassurances from large funding agencies such as
United Way and threatened cuts in county and federal funds have encouraged social service agencies
to seek out economies of scale, officials said.
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"This merger is unusual for nonprofits, but I think you're going to see more and more like it," said
Jack Shakely, president of the California Community Foundation, which manages money left to
charity by wealthy individuals and which gave the two agencies a consolidation grant.
"This is a tough time all over," Shakely said. "There just isn't a lot of money out there."
The merger of the two local agencies, officials said, was initiated last year by Family Service, after a
longstanding funding crisis threatened to shut down its family counseling program. The program --
one of the county's few remaining sources of affordable mental health care for the uninsured and
working poor -- had been underwritten almost entirely by a grant from United Way of Greater Los
Angeles that had declined 74% in five years.
The cut, officials said, was a direct result of United Way's own money woes. In the past five years, as
bank mergers and layoffs cut into United Way contributions locally, the nonprofit giant was forced to
slash its grants to smaller agencies by 41% overall.
Family Service tried to hold on to its counseling funds, but United Way officials said that program was
pushed aside by other services such as child abuse and gang intervention programs -- that were
considered a higher priority.
Ryker, of the Culver City-based Didi Hirsch, said his agency welcomed Family Service's overture.
Although Didi Hirsch has a range of services -- dispatching counselors to victims of the Northridge
quake, for example -- its primary focus has been on treatment for the chronically mentally ill, and
one of the agency's goals had been to broaden its reach, he said.
Family Service, meanwhile, served three times as many people as Didi Hirsch, but had a much
smaller budget and lacked access to Medicare reimbursement for some programs.
With a promise from United Way that it would do all it could to maintain the $475,000 in combined
United Way funding the two agencies are getting now, the deal was struck, officials said.
"This was one of those opportunities where two and two made five," said Family Service board
Chairman Barry Smith.
The new agency is expected to be fully consolidated by Jan. 15, Ryker said, and will have the
capacity to serve about 40,000 clients.
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1992 Los Angeles Times, January 12, 1992
Copyright 1992 The Times Mirror Company
Los Angeles Times
January 12, 1992, Sunday, Home Edition
SECTION: Westside; Part J; Page 7; Column 1
LENGTH: 506 words
HEADLINE: HEALTH CLINICS OVERWHELMED BY CASH-STRAPPED PATIENTS;
JUST WHEN SERVICES NEED TO BE INCREASED, CORPORATE AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS ARE LESS
ABLE TO GIVE.
BYLINE: By JOSH MEYER, TIMES STAFF WRITER
BODY:
When planners at the Venice Family Clinic prepared their budget for this fiscal year last May, they
figured the clinic would have to expand services by 8% to account for the recession that already had
begun.
Their guess wasn't even close.
"We had 46,500 visits in 1991 -- a 35% increase," clinic Executive Director Fern Seizer said. "That's
pretty dazzling."
The clinic, the largest of its kind on the Westside, continues to turn away 40 or more people a day,
and it is scrambling to come up with enough funds to meet the increased demand.
Like most other social service providers from Santa Monica to Hollywood, clinic operators live in fear
of the double whammy of a recession: Just when services need to be increased, corporate and
individual donors generally are less able to give. Luckily, the Venice clinic raised $4 million for the
upcoming fiscal year, which starts July 1, compared with $3.7 million this year.
"The response has been wonderful," Seizer said. "People are digging more deeply, responding to
meet the urgent need."
But the recession is showing no signs of abating, and Seizer and others fear they will soon be
inundated as never before.
"There are so many people without jobs and without hope of getting jobs," Seizer said. "I don't see
the light at the end of the tunnel."
Across town, the staff at the Los Angeles Free Clinic, at 8405 Beverly Blvd., was seeing so many
people that it recently opened a walk-in clinic three mornings a week.
"But we could run clinics 24 hours a day seven days a week if we had enough money and volunteers,
and that still wouldn't be nearly enough," Mary Rainwater, the clinic's associate director, said.
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In October, the free clinic conducted a survey of its clients and found that more than 85% had no
medical insurance. More than a third of them worked part time, and 47% said they had no job at all.
At the Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center in Culver City, more than 80 people a day
stream in for outpatient treatment.
"We could see at least double that number, if we had the space and the resources," Executive
Director Ann Brand said.
The Hirsch clinic, the largest free mental health center on the Westside, has suffered through
staggering budget cuts this year, in large part because the recession has cut into traditional sources
of funding. Its contribution from United Way was down $40,000, for example, because of
across-the-board cuts that United Way made in its funding of local social services agencies.
The cuts, Rainwater added, come at a time when the need for mental health services is greatest.
Family economic problems often contribute to increased alcoholism, drug abuse and domestic
violence.
"The stress of seeing your life and your family's life deteriorate, and your inability to change that,
creates anger and depression," Rainwater said. "It goes round and round in a downward spiral, and
there's no way out."
"For these people, there is no safety net, is there?" she asked. "If there is, it's just not adequate."
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Los Angeles Times June 8, 1998, Monday,
QUOTES
Copyright 1998 Times Mirror Company
Los Angeles Times
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June 8, 1998, Monday, Home Edition
SECTION: Health; Part S; Page 1; View Desk
LENGTH: 1310 words
HEADLINE: ERASING THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS
BODY:
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has been an advocate for the mentally ill since she was first
lady of Georgia in 1970. Her efforts to erase the stigma of mental illness and to lobby for needed
services for the mentally ill and their caregivers have earned her numerous accolades. On
Wednesday, she will be honored at the Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center's leadership
luncheon at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. An interview with Mrs. Carter will appear Friday in Life
& Style.
The following excerpt is from her new book, "Helping Someone With Mental Illness: A Compassionate
Guide for Family, Friends and Caregivers" (Times Books).
" 'Superman Will Die
Killed by a Superlunatic, an Escapee From a Cosmic Insane Asylum!' This
was the headline in papers around the country heralding the Man of Steel's imminent death in a
comic book released in September 1992. And just one month later, the newspapers in Georgia
heralded "Six Flags Over Georgia to Open New Halloween Attraction: Asylum of Horrors.'
"
Those were the opening lines of a speech I gave in 1992. Unfortunately, media depictions that
discriminate against those who suffer from mental illnesses and contribute to the stigma continue
today.
"TV Ad Features Straitjacketed Man Ranting in Padded Cell." This headline was the subject of a
Stigma Alert from the National Stigma Clearinghouse circulated to the mental health community in
October 1997. The ad, jointly sponsored by Universal Studios and Pepsi-Cola, aired throughout
Southern California, publicizing the Universal theme park's "Halloween Horror Nights." It showed a
man wearing a straitjacket in a padded room, ranting and bouncing off the walls. A guard outside the
cell was drinking a Pepsi-Cola. Exasperated, the guard shuts the peep door on the thirsty man inside.
Just a few months earlier, Nickelodeon released "Good Burger," a summer movie for children, in
which a subplot takes place in an asylum. The film's heroes are kidnapped, carted off in straitjackets,
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and thrown into a padded cell at Demented Hills Asylum.
And when the bombing took place in Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympics, the headline of the
local newspaper heralded, "Search Is on for 'Random Nut Case.' And the article began, "The hunt
for the Centennial Olympic Park bomber is likely to focus initially on home-grown terrorists or what
police officials and security experts refer to as a 'random nut case.'
*
It seems as though I and many others have been fighting myths, misconceptions and stereotypes
about mental illnesses for decades. And although much has changed over the years, we can see from
the media coverage that much is left to be done. Why else would "60 Minutes" veteran Mike Wallace
admit about his own depression, "I just didn't want people to know of my vulnerability. I was
ashamed. It was a confession of weakness. For years, depression meant the crazy house."
And why else would actress Margot Kidder, following a much publicized episode of mental illness,
confess that she'd rather be thought of as an alcoholic and drug abuser than a person with
manic-depression? As she told Barbara Walters in a televised interview, "Mental illness is the last
taboo. It's the one that scares everyone to death, and I have to include myself in that until the last
few months."
Would either of these famous people have felt the same had they been diagnosed with a physical
illness such as diabetes or high blood pressure? Despite the growing body of knowledge, a
tremendous gap still exists between what the experts know about brain-related illnesses and what
the public understands. The challenges involved in promoting better mental health for all Americans
are many and complex, but none demands more of our attention than that of society's attitudes
toward mentally ill individuals.
It didn't take long for me to learn about the impact of stigma when I first began working in the field.
I would call mental health meetings when Jimmy was governor of Georgia and the only people to
show up would be a handful of dedicated advocates and a few government employees, who probably
came only because my husband was governor. At that time, no one would admit to having a mental
illness; no one would acknowledge that a family member was suffering. Funding for mental health
programs was always inadequate. It seemed they got only what was left over after all other health
needs were addressed. And when we began establishing community group homes for mentally ill
people, we ran into every roadblock imaginable--from neighborhood organizations and city council
members to zoning laws hurriedly passed.
I have a vivid memory of stepping off the airplane in Valdosta, Ga., on the way to a meeting about a
planned group home, and being informed that the city council had voted the night before to deny
approval. It was not a pleasant day!
It is significant to note, though, that although group homes for people with mental illness are nearly
always opposed, once established and the community members get to know their "new neighbors,"
the stigma, almost without exception, vanishes. This happened in Valdosta, after we were eventually
able to get permission to develop the home. The community soon just "adopted" the recovering
patients, and the home became a model for other cities.
I hear about the problem of stigma over and over in the thousands of letters I have received from
people who know about my interest in mental health. A young college student who wrote to me in
the late 1970s summarized the dilemma quite well:
"Because I am aware that many people are truly ignorant when it comes to the subject of mental
health, I have concealed that I am going to a therapist from most people. I do this not only to escape
the fact that I might be labeled a 'crazy' person but because I am 21 years old and will soon be
looking for a job after I graduate from college next year. The fact that I have been emotionally ill
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might get in the way of finding a good job.
"I feel that if people were made aware of the widespread problem of mental illness and its true
nature, and
that most people can be helped and even cured, then we all could start to be more
open about mental illness and have people who need help receive it and be accepted by others as
readily as they would be if they had a physical illness. After successful treatment they should be as
able to lead normal and productive lives as they would if they had been cured of a physical disease."
I couldn't agree more. Yet, unfortunately, 25 years later, we as a society have still not reached that
point. That is why I have decided to write this book. My goal for many years has been to see the
stigma of mental illness eradicated. And I believe the more we educate ourselves, and the more we
come to know our mentally ill neighbors, the closer we come to attaining that goal.
Today, science has made dramatic breakthroughs in our understanding of the causes and treatments
of mental illnesses. We now know that many have hereditary and physical components, that they are
not the result of a weak will or misguided parenting as we had once believed. If you or someone you
love is suffering from mental illness, there is no reason to feel ashamed.
I am pleased to have this opportunity to write about these issues that have so absorbed me over the
years and about the exciting developments in the field. I know there is still much to be learned and
much that remains to be done if we are to continue to improve the quality of life for those who suffer,
many in silence.
But today, there is help and hope for those with mental illness.
*
From "Helping Someone With Mental Illness" by Rosalynn Carter. Copyright 1998 by Rosalynn Carter.
Reprinted with permission of Times Books, a division of Random House Inc.
GRAPHIC: PHOTO: (No caption)
LANGUAGE: English
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David
Satcher
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33 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1321
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Public Papers of the Presidents
Public Papers of the Presidents
September 12, 1997
CITE: 33 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1321
LENGTH: 2054 words
HEADLINE: Remarks Announcing the Nomination of Dr. David Satcher To Be Surgeon General and
an Exchange With Reporters
BODY:
The President. Thank you very much. Madam Secretary, our distinguished guests representing the
health professions, to the Satcher family, and ladies and gentlemen.
Just yesterday, we learned of the strong public health progress our Nation has been making in recent
years. We learned that last year, infant mortality declined to a record low, prenatal care reached a
record high, the teen birth rate declined for the fifth straight year, and death from HIV and AIDS
declined more than 25 percent. These are huge gains for public health, and much of the credit goes
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and their gifted leader, Dr. David Satcher.
As you heard from the Vice President, Dr. Satcher's many accomplishments are built on a deep
foundation of personal experience. On the small corn and peanut farm where he grew up, he relied
on a dedicated country doctor, the only African-American doctor in the area, to come to his family's
side in times of need. That man, named Dr. Jackson, helped save David Satcher's life, and then he
and other mentors and family members inspired him to dedicate his life to caring for the health of
other people's families.
They inspired a man, whose parents didn't have the opportunity to finish elementary school, to
himself become the first black M.D., Ph.D. in the history of Case Western Reserve University, then go
on to become President of Meharry Medical College and the Director of the world-renowned Centers
for Disease Control.
In part, because of the inspiration of his family doctor, David Satcher is uniquely qualified to be
America's family doctor. He's a mainstream physician with a talent for leadership. And I'm proud to
announce that I intend to nominate him to be both Assistant Secretary for Health and the Surgeon
General of the United States.
Only once before has the President asked one person to fill two of the Nation's most prominent public
health offices. I do so today because in his role as Director of the CDC, the agency that is the world's
best defense against disease, David Satcher has demonstrated his profound medical expertise and
eloquent advocacy for the Nation's public health. He's helped to lead our fight to improve the safety
of our food, to wipe out the scourge of emerging infectious diseases, to expand access to vital cancer
screening.
I particularly want to thank him for guiding our childhood immunization initiative. Child immunization
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levels have now reached an all-time high, and cases of childhood diseases that can be prevented by
vaccines are at an all-time low.
Now I look forward to working with Dr. Satcher on our most important public health mission, to free
our children from the grip of tobacco. Every year, more Americans die from smoking-related diseases
than from AIDS, car accidents, murders, and suicides combined. And we all know if people don't
begin to smoke in their teens, it's unlikely they will ever begin to do so. We have to make the most of
this historic opportunity to protect our children against the dangers of tobacco by passing sweeping
legislation that focuses first and foremost on reducing smoking among our young people. And he will
lead our Nation's efforts on many other health issues, as well.
Over the past three decades of serving the health needs of our Nation, David Satcher has earned
the highest respect of public health officials around the Nation and, indeed, all around the world. No
one is better qualified to be America's doctor. No one is better qualified to be the Nation's leading
voice for health for all of us. And I am grateful that he is willing to serve.
Before I call on Dr. Satcher to speak, let me make one more comment about another nomination. I'm
very disappointed that my nominee for United States Ambassador to Mexico, Governor Weld, did not
receive a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today.
Because our relationship with Mexico is so very important to our security and to our economy, I want
an Ambassador who can represent all Americans. In a spirit of bipartisanship, I selected a highly
qualified individual in the Republican Governor of Massachusetts. I believe the full Senate should find
a way to move forward on this nomination. And I am encouraged by suggestions that Senators are
seeking a way within the rules of the Senate to do so. After all, a majority of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee wants him to have a hearing, a majority of the United States Senate wants him
to have a hearing, and all I have asked for is a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote on a man I
believe to be highly qualified.
Now, I hope I'll receive a quick hearing and up-or-down vote, which will, doubtless, be up on Dr.
David Satcher.
Dr. Satcher.
Q. Mr. President
The President. Please, let me finish.
[At this point, Dr. Satcher thanked the President and made brief remarks.]
Nomination of Governor William Weld
Q. Mr. President, Senator Lugar says that it's now up to you to prevail on Senator Lott to get the
Weld nomination to the Senate floor. And, while I'm at it, will you go for a recess appointment if that
doesn't work?
The President. Well, I certainly intend to talk to Senator Lott about it, although, I would hope that
Senator Lugar would do the same thing, and the other Republicans who want the fair and decent
thing done. And my position is that this man should have a hearing. He's been a good Governor. He
was a distinguished member of the Justice Department under President Reagan, and he's entitled to
a hearing. And I believe if he gets a hearing, he'll be confirmed and he'll be able to go to Mexico. And
that's what I'm working for.
Police Brutality
Q. Mr. President, the Congressional Black Caucus is in town, and they're calling on you today to
address the problem of police brutality [inaudible] -- to the Justice Department. What do you have
to say to the Caucus about the issue of brutality, and what should be done about it?
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The President. Well, I believe that first of all, I think that when any kind of State action rises to the
level of a constitutional violation, the Justice Department ought to be on top of it. And I look forward
to meeting with I'm going to be with the Black Caucus, and I look forward to hearing from them
and to seeing what else they think we should do. This administration, I think, has done more for law
enforcement than any administration in modern history, and we've been very supportive of it. And I
think those of us who believe in law enforcement and support it should also hold it to the highest
standards of conduct.
Tobacco Settlement
Q. Mr. President, you're meeting with your tobacco advisers this afternoon on the proposed
settlement. Can you tell us what direction you're leaning in, and do you think that the penalties that
are posed on the tobacco industry are severe enough?
The President. Well, let me say the direction I will lean in is I'm going to do whatever I think will best
further public health and will best increase the chances that we can dramatically reduce smoking
among young people. And I will do that not only what, but when I do that. There are questions of
substance and timing here, and it's a highly complex issue.
I want to thank Secretary Shalala and Bruce Reed for heading the process for our administration to
review all aspects of this and also to hear from all people involved, including the tobacco farmers,
which Secretary Glickman worked on. And I will be at least I'll begin my review of that later this
afternoon, and then I'll do whatever I think is best. But I can't I don't want to make any specific
comments until I have a chance to hear from my folks. They've been working on this very hard.
Nomination of Governor William Weld
Q. President Clinton, on the back on the Weld nomination, what do you make of Senator Helms'
implied threat that this could have fallout in your relationship with him on other foreign policy
matters?
The President. Oh, I don't think it was implied. I thought it was explicit. [Laughter] I like that about
Senator Helms; he always tells you where he is and what he's doing. This is just a -- we've had a
very cordial relationship, partly because we've been very candid and honest with each other, and this
is just an area where we have disagreement.
I think Governor Weld would be a good ambassador; he doesn't. I think whether you believe he'd be
good or not, he's entitled to a hearing, especially when a majority of the members of the committee
and a majority of the Members of the Senate want him to have it. And so that's where I am, and
we're at loggerheads. Now, as Senator Lott operates the Senate under the Senate rules, and they
may well have the ability to prevent this from ever happening, and they may prevail, but the battle is
not over yet.
Q. Mr. President, Mr. Weld used the term, "despotic" to describe today's proceedings. Would you go
that far?
The President. Well, I think there are a lot of things about the Senate that when they operate
properly may be good -- the Senate was designed to slow things down in America by the Founding
Fathers but when they're abused can be bad. I think, among other things, that filibuster has been
grossly overused in the last 5 years, and I know of no precedent for this action. But we'll just have to
see.
I didn't answer that question on purpose. That's right, I didn't answer let me remind you of what
the situation was in the last recess. We just finished a recess, and Senator Lott told me in no
uncertain terms that if I intended to recess-appoint Governor Weld, the Senate would not go into
recess, and that he would do whatever was necessary to make sure the Senate did not go into
recess. And again, I value my relationship with we got a balanced budget out of this Congress in
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part because we trusted each other to tell the truth. So I have to be careful how I handle this. I
would never mislead Senator Lott, and he might have the same position this time he had last time.
So I think it's premature to talk about that. We should do this the right way. This man has been a
distinguished public servant, and he ought to get a hearing. Let's do this the right way and not talk
about there are circumstances under which recess appointments are appropriate, but the
appropriate thing to do here is to give this man a hearing.
Thank you.
Surgeon General Nomination
Q. Mr. President, there has been some criticism on why you waited so long on appointing a Surgeon
General. Can you address those criticisms, and also, the other criticism that there doesn't even need
to be a Surgeon General?
The President. Well, first of all, I we had this ready to go. We thought the appropriate thing to do
was to wait until right after the break instead of doing it right before the break. So we've been ready
for some time. But I thought to do it after the August recess would give it greater national visibility
and greater impetus going into the congressional hearing process.
And secondly, you could make an argument that we don't need a lot of folks, I guess, but my view is
that the country is better off with a Surgeon General than without one. And I think of the
contributions that Dr. Koop has made. I think of contributions many of our other Surgeons General
have made. I think the idea of having a person who can be looked to by ordinary Americans for good
advice and for strong advocacy on what they can personally do, on what the public policy of the
country ought to be, and who can advise us about what we should be doing in policy and research,
and things of that kind, is very, very important.
I think the country kind of likes the idea that there ought to be a doctor that they can trust, that they
can turn to for old homespun advice and for also keeping them on the cutting edge of whatever
modern medical developments are. And I know that I certainly feel that way, and I'll feel a lot better
when Dr. Satcher has been confirmed.
Thank you.
NOTE: The President spoke at 1:30 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, he
referred to former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop.
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David Satcher, MD, nominated as US surgeon general / October 1997 FPR
http://www.afp.org/fpr/971000fr/22.htm
FP Report, Post-Assembly Edition -- October 1997
David Satcher, MD, nominated as US surgeon general
On Sept. 12, President Bill Clinton nominated family physician David Satcher, MD, of Atlanta
as US surgeon general and assistant secretary of health.
If the Senate approves the nomination, Dr. Satcher will be the first FP to serve as surgeon
general. An AAFP member, he has directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
since 1993. Prior to joining the CDC, he was president of Meharry Medical College in
Nashville, TN, for 11 years.
During the nomination ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House, Vice President Al
Gore said Dr. Satcher learned about doctors firsthand when, as a child, he survived a near-fatal
bout with whooping cough.
"On the small farm where David Satcher grew up, he relied on a dedicated country doctor, the
only African-American doctor in the area, to come to his family's side in times of need," said
President Clinton. "That man, Dr. Jackson, helped save David Satcher's life. In part because
of the inspiration of his family doctor, David Satcher is uniquely qualified to be America's
family doctor."
"I want to be the surgeon general who reaches our citizens with cutting-edge technology and
plain, old-fashioned straight talk," said Dr. Satcher. "Whether we're talking about smoking or
poor diets, I want to send messages to our cities and our suburbs, our barrios and reservations,
and even our prisons. I want to take the best science in the world and place it firmly within the
grasp of all Americans."
The Academy applauded the nomination and called for his prompt confirmation.
Dr. Satcher
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department.
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M2 PRESSWIRE March 7, 1997
Copyright M2 Communications Ltd 1997
M2 PRESSWIRE
March 7, 1997
LENGTH: 1200 words
HEADLINE: USIA
State Dept report
DATELINE: ZAIRE
BODY:
The government of Zaire has announced its acceptance of the peace plan proposed by the United
Nations and the Organization of African Unity, Burns said. "This is a very positive development,"
Burns said. "We welcome the Zairian Government's acceptance of the plan, which we believe
provides a strong basis for a resolution of the conflict in the Great Lakes region."
He added that the United States remains very concerned about the estimated 170,000 to 200,000
Rwandan Hutu refugees. "We are asking the rebel alliance in Eastern Zaire to allow these people
access to corridors out to Rwanda itself," Burns said.
COLOMBIA - The Colombian government has told U.S. Ambassador Myles Frechette March 6 that it
will take another day to review the coca eradication project. According to Burns, the Colombian
government will be examining "technical aspects," but it plans to resume eradication flights on March
7. "We hope that that is the case," Burns said. On March 5, Colombia had suspended its program to
eradicate plants which are the source of cocaine and heroin.
KOREA/TEAM SPIRIT Burns confirmed reports that the United States and the Republic of Korea have
decided to cancel "Team Spirit" joint military exercises for 1997. "We made this decision taking into
account the overall security situation on the Korean peninsula," Burns said. "This cancellation will
have no impact on the readiness of our military forces American and South Korean - to defend
South Korea."
Burns said the cancellation is part of an effort to build confidence and "to create an atmosphere to
reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula."
THAILAND/KAREN Burns noted U.S. expressions of concern earlier this week that the Thai
Government was forceably repatriating Karen refugees from Thailand into Burma. "I'm very pleased
to say that we have now a reaffirmation of Thailand's long-standing policy of offering humanitarian
relief to people fleeing from neighboring countries. And we believe the Thai Government is now
prepared to protect the Karen refugees who have taken refugee along the border on the Thai side,"
Burns said.
BOSNIA - Ambassador Robert Frowick, who heads the Organization of Security and Cooperation in
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Europe (OSCE) mission in Bosnia, has decided to postpone the Bosnian municipal elections from July
until September. According to Burns, Frowick believes logistical and technical complexities must be
worked out, and that a delay of two months would "expand the chances that these elections would be
free and fair." The United States fully supports Frowick's assessment, Burns said.
ALBANIA - President Sali Berisha and opposition leaders agreed on March 6 to resolve the current
state of unrest in Albania and to discuss the broader issue of political reform, Burns said. "We
understand that they are prepared now to begin talks with each other on the issues that have divided
them," Burns said. "We welcome this agreement We hope very much that a ceasefire can be
worked out between those who have taken to the streets and the Government itself." The Albanian
Government has reportedly offered a general amnesty to the rebels if they put down their arms
within the next two days.
Burns reiterated U.S. support for the OSCE mission which will go to Albania March 8. It will be led by
former Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitsky. U.S. Representative Eliot Engel (Democrat of New York)
will be a member of the delegation.
Burns said the United States has not requested any kind of U.S. military assistance in Albania, nor
are there plans to reduce U.S. Embassy staff there. About 1,600 private American citizens are in the
country, most in northern Albania. The violence has been largely confined to the southern part of the
country.
YELTSIN - Burns said Russian President Boris Yeltsin was "vigorous" and "articulate" in his March 6
state-of-the-nation speech. Burns said Yeltsin "clearly wants to negotiate with NATO and the United
States on the NATO- Russia Charter
"What was most important about the speech was that he clearly laid out an agenda - very coherent,
well thought-out domestic and foreign policy agenda," Burns said. "He's clearly in control; no
question about it."
U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS DELEGATION - Burns said Nancy Rubin will head the U.S. delegation to March
10-April 18 United Nations Human Rights Commission conference in Geneva.
Rubin, Burns said, "is an eminent person, and she's very prepared for this, and we are looking
forward to her leadership."
She has served in the White House under both Presidents Clinton and Carter, was a nongovernment
organization (NGO) participant at the 1995 United Nations 4th World Conference on Women in
Beijing, and was a member of the U.S. delegation at the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women in
Vienna in 1993. She is a director of the Overseas Development Council and the Women's Commission
on Refugee Women and Children and is a member of the Bretton Woods Committee and the Council
on Foreign Relations.
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FDCH Congressional Testimony, October 31, 1997
Copyright 1997 Federal Document Clearing House, Inc.
Federal Document Clearing House Congressional Testimony
October 31, 1997, Friday
SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY
LENGTH: 698 words
HEADLINE: TESTIMONY October 31, 1997 NANCY RUBIN AMBASSOR-DESIGNATE UNITED
NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS U.N. STATE DEPARTMENT
NOMINATIONS
BODY:
STATEMENT
NANCY RUBIN
AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Mr. Chairman:
It is an honor to appear before you today as nominee for the rank of Ambassador to the United
Nations Human Rights Commission and to be introduced by my long time friend Senator Dianne
Feinstein. I am deeply grateful to President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright for the confidence
they have shown by putting my name forward.
The defense of human rights at home and abroad is a reflection of long-standing and deeply held
American values. During the last half-century, the promotion of human rights has been a central
pillar of American foreign policy, acknowledged and supported by both houses of Congress and
Republican and Democratic administrations alike.
In 1993, at the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights, the nations of the world reaffirmed the
universality of human rights and fundamental freedoms and noted that their protection and
promotion is the responsibility of governments. The Human Rights Commission is a vital component
of our human rights diplomacy. As the preeminent international forum for discussion of human rights
and fundamental freedoms, the Commission provides a unique opportunity to influence human rights
violators by exposing them to the shame of the international spotlight Shining the spotlight also
allows us to be powerful defenders of the powerless and to keep faith with the millions of people all
over the world whose hopes and aspirations are to realize the human dignity and potential. It gives
us the opportunity to build the international support we need to persuade those who abuse human
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rights that it is in their interest to honor these universal standards. Additionally, we work to provide
mechanisms to advance human rights in the field.
The Congress, including members of this Committee, has actively supported our delegation to the,
Commission during past sessions. Your letters and conversations with foreign governments have
helped to build support for our position on various resolutions. I look forward to continuing this
partnership as we prepare for next year's session.
By according the rank of ambassador to the US Representative to the UN Human Rights Commission,
the United States signals to other countries the importance which our legislative and executive
branches attach to human rights and the role of the Commission in combarting human rights
violations worldwide.
I have been involved in international human rights work for over twenty years. I have waked in
government and in non governmental organizations, and I have represented the United States
Nations forums. I have helped to provide technical assistance to acbieve social, political and
economic participation; waked for the rights of refugees; and acted as an official elections observer in
countries seeking to make the transition to democracy. My work has allowed me to meet with those
hungering for justice in approximately twenty-five countries, ranging from Chile to Bosnia to China. I
have served on the Bretton Woods Committee and the Council on Foreign Relations, and have had
leaderships roles in the Overseas Education Fund International the Coalition for Women in
International Development, the Red Cross, the International Human Rights Law Group and the
Women's for Refugee Women and Children. I would consider it the honor of a lifetime to represent
my country in advancing human rights issues at the UN Human Rights Commission.
Mr. Chairman, the next session of the Human Rights Commission has particular significance, for it
will mark the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. By promoting the
Declaration and its basic Principles, we not only honor the memory of a great American, Eleanor
Roosevelt, but show our support for the many throughout the world whose fundamental human rights
are still denied.
Mr. Chairman if confirmed, as Ambassador, I pledge to work with you and other members of congress
to ensure that America"s interests and ideals are well represented at the UN Human Rights
Commission.
Thank you.
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M2 PRESSWIRE April 11, 1997
Copyright M2 Communications Ltd 1997
M2 PRESSWIRE
April 11, 1997
LENGTH: 3267 words
HEADLINE: USIA
Nancy Rubin remarks to UN Commission on Human Rights
DATELINE: Geneva
HIGHLIGHT:
U.S. delegation head notes continuing rights abuses
BODY:
The United States believes that "international human rights standards, as reflected in the Universal
Declaration of Rights, are a common standard for all nations," says Nancy Rubin, head of the U.S.
delegation to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights.
"Respect for democracy, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law at home means respect for them
abroad, to the benefit of all nations and all people, " she told the commission April 9.
In a statement reviewing the human rights situation in countries around the world, Rubin also made
the following points:
- Cuba remains the Western Hemisphere's sole dictatorship, "denying its citizens the very tangible
benefits of democracy."
- The United States "remains deeply concerned about the volatile situation in the Balkans."
- The United States "is deeply concerned with Belarus' accelerating slide toward authoritarianism."
- The United States "remains acutely concerned over the conditions in central Africa."
- Saddam Hussein's repression of the Iraqi people "has not abated, despite the great hardships to
which he has put his people."
- "Burma's severe repression of human rights remains a matter of grave concern." "
- We have also noticed a troubling deterioration in the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.
Rubin emphasized that the United States firmly believes that China should be held accountable to
international human rights standards.
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Following is the text of Rubin's remarks. Mr. Chairman:
Three times a year the United States makes formal statements on the human rights situation in the
countries of the world. The first is when the annual country reports are released in late January. The
second is when we speak on item 10 here at the commission. The last occasion is during the Third
Committee of the U.N. General Assembly.
These are not casual occasions, but opportunities we take very seriously. Our government works hard
gathering reliable information to determine the extent to which human rights are respected or abused
in the countries of the world.
In doing so we make no claim that our record is perfect, for it is not.
But there are reasons why we do it. First and foremost is the fact that we believe that international
human rights standards, as reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are a common
standard for all nations. These fundamental rights and freedoms are not just for Americans; they
belong to everyone, in every country. Believing this
- and believing it deeply - obliges us to speak out where we see human rights abused.
Our commitment to human rights and their applicability to all people has deep and enduring roots in
our national institutions and identity. Indeed, the United States was founded on the principles that all
people are created equal and that they are endowed with the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.
The history of this century has clearly demonstrated that nations which respect the human rights of
their own citizens respect the rights of their neighbors. Respect for democracy, fundamental
freedoms and the rule of law at home means respect for them abroad, to the benefit of all nations
and all people.
Those who cannot accept or understand this should reflect on the dark chapters of this century's
history. From the massive horrors of World War I and II to the Soviet Gulag and the Chinese Cultural
Revolution; from the killing fields of Cambodia to the cruelties of apartheid and the tragedies in the
former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, and Burundi, the lesson remains the same. The costs of tolerating
human rights abuse are very, very high.
And yet, there are nations which come here not to defend human rights, but to undermine them, not
to expose abuse, but to divert attention away from it. It is some of these nations that we wish to
discuss today, at the same time that we cite those who deserve praise for the progress they have
made.
In our own hemisphere, the overwhelming trend over the past decade has been the consolidation of
democracy and the institutions of civil society. Not surprisingly, much good has come of this:
healthier economies and healthier societies. Yet there is one state which continues to deny reality,
while denying its citizens the very tangible benefits of democracy. I refer of course to Cuba, the
hemisphere's only remaining dictatorship, which continues to arrest, detain, threaten, and harass
human rights and pro- democracy activists it considers a threat. Sadly, Fidel Castro has made it clear
that he intends no political opening to accompany the limited economic liberalization measures
implemented by his government in recent years.
By contrast, the final peace accord the government of Guatemala and the URNG guerrillas signed in
late December closed out a year of significant improvement with respect to human rights and the rule
of law in that country. The Guatemalan government has demonstrated that it has the political will to
combat impunity. In a marked departure from previous years, the courts convicted members of the
security forces who had been charged with human rights abuses. Further, paramilitary forces were
disbanded, the guerrillas are now demobilizing, and the military is being reduced and restructured to
carry out its proper role within a democratic society.
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The government of Colombia is struggling to improve its human rights situation, while dealing with
violent guerrilla groups, paramilitary units, and narco-traffickers. During last year's commission, the
Colombian government agreed to establish an office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights
in Bogota to promote and protect human rights, monitor abuse, and prepare analytical reports for the
High Commissioner for Human Rights. Still, the government must continue to show the political will
to address the human rights situation by arresting and prosecuting human rights abusers in the
security forces, and identifying and penalizing illegal collaboration between the military and
paramilitary units.
The United States remains deeply concerned about the volatile situation in the Balkans. The
deterioration of conditions in Albania continues to pose a major threat to the human rights of that
country's citizens, and we strongly support the efforts the OSCE, the EU, and the Italian-led
multinational force to stem this potential humanitarian crisis.
While the United States welcomes the fact that the Serbian government finally agreed to permit the
democratic opposition to take control of the municipalities it won in the November elections, we
continue to be distressed by the Serbian government's lack of commitment to democratic reform and
independent media. The United States remains deeply concerned by the continuing denial of basic
human rights to the Albanian minority in Kosovo, and the Serbian government's refusal to address
this issue. In addition, Belgrade has failed to live up to key provisions of the Dayton Accords and
continues to protect a number of individuals accused of crimes against humanity by the International
War Crimes Tribunal.
As it seeks to become part of the democratic community of nations, it is important that Croatia
continue to cooperate fully with the U.N. Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia to ensure
the peaceful reintegration of Eastern Slavonia while also assuring respect for human rights for all
residents, returning displaced persons, and refugees. The U.S. continues to press Croatia to
apprehend and surrender for prosecution all persons indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal,
to guarantee freedom of the press, to guarantee local Serb community representation at all levels of
the government, and to provide protection of local Serbs' legal and civil rights under Croatian law.
In Eastern Europe, the recent conduct of the government of Belarus stands in sad contrast to the
positive achievements of neighbors like Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. The United States
is deeply concerned with Belarus' accelerating slide toward authoritarianism. The severe restrictions
which the Lukashenko government has imposed on economic reform, democratic opposition, and the
media can only limit the country's hopes for development.
The United States remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation and the potential for
inter-communal violence on Cyprus. We call on both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities on
that island to create a climate whereby a just solution to their differences can be found.
The African states as a whole have often been criticized because of the human rights problems in
some of them. The United States does not take this simplistic view, but notes with satisfaction the
progress that many African states have made over the past year. In Ghana, for example, the recent
elections were free and fair. At the same time, the country has made noticeable progress
economically and in strengthening its civic institutions. Mali, too, continues to make positive strides
as it continues on the path to further democratization.
After several failures, the ceasefire in Liberia gives hope that that country's long descent in chaos has
finally ended and the process of healing through national elections may soon begin. And in South
Africa, the process of national reconciliation continues through the wise administration of Nelson
Mandela's government and the careful deliberations of the National Truth Commission.
At the same time, the human rights situation in Nigeria is very poor. The regime of General Abacha
has continued to rely on arbitrary detention, arrests, and wide-scale harassment to silence its many
critics. Security forces have committed extrajudicial killings, tortured and beat suspects and
detainees, while continuing to harass human rights and democracy activists. All these and numerous
other abuses have taken place in a climate of serious infringements on freedom of speech, assembly,
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association, travel and workers rights.
The United States remains acutely concerned over the conditions in central Africa. We strongly urge
the rebel forces under Laurent Kabila to come to an agreement with the current government in order
to avoid further bloodshed and suffering in Zaire. We deeply regret the death of the human rights
monitors in Rwanda last fall, and we call on the government there and in Burundi to expend every
effort to bring those guilty of massive and genocidal human rights abuse to justice.
Six years after the end of the Persian Gulf War, the government of Iraq still refuses to comply with
the U.N. Security Council resolutions and destroy completely its weapons of mass destruction. At the
same time, Saddam Hussein's repression of the Iraqi people has not abated, despite the great
hardships to which he has put his people.
Meanwhile the Iranian government's human rights record has failed to improve. Their systematic
abuses include extrajudicial killings and summary executions, disappearances, the widespread use of
torture, arbitrary arrest, and detention, the lack of fair trials, and restrictions on freedom of speech
and press. We further deplore the continuing abuse of those who practice the Baha'i faith. And we
find it incomprehensible that the Iranian government has not acted to restrain those Iranian citizens
who are responsible for offering a reward for the death of Salman Rushdie.
The United States continues to be deeply concerned about the crippling restrictions the Taliban have
imposed on Afghanistan's women and girls. Surely, forbidding women from working when many of
them are the sole source of support for their families is a cruel abuse of their rights, and a foolish
policy as well. Similarly, forbidding girls to attend school can only add to the intellectual
impoverishment of the country.
Burma's severe repression of human rights remains a matter of grave concern, as SLORC's military
rulers maintained broad restrictions on the basic rights to free speech, assembly, and association.
Meanwhile the political activities of the country's most well-known, democratic figure, Nobel laureate
Aung San Suu Kyi, continued to be severely restricted.
We have also noticed a troubling deterioration in the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. Of
particular concern are the unsolved disappearances of more than 700 persons in Jaffna and the slow
progress made by the government in prosecuting security forces personnel implicated in human
rights abuses. We are also troubled by the continuing failure of the armed forces and the LTTE
insurgents to capture POWs in numbers commensurate with the scale of the conflict, since it suggests
that both sides have adopted a "take-no-prisoners" policy. We call upon the government and the
LTTE, therefore, to observe international humanitarian norms.
While we do not seek confrontation with China over human rights, we firmly believe that the People's
Republic of China should be held accountable, and certainly at this commission, to international
standards that China itself has endorsed. Chinese society has undergone significant transformation
since the introduction of economic reforms, resulting in greater scope for individual choice.
Nevertheless, China's government continues to commit widespread and well-documented human
rights abuses and to severely restrict fundamental freedoms of speech, the press, assembly,
association, and religion in violation of internationally-accepted norms.
No country should lie beyond the commission's scrutiny, Mr. Chairman. Nor should those who have
made progress pass unnoticed for their efforts. Our goal at the commission is the protection and
promotion of the fundamental rights and freedoms for every individual. By speaking out honestly and
frankly, we can help accomplish that. For silence is evil's best companion, and light the strongest
enemy of dark designs. Thank you.
LANGUAGE: English
LOAD-DATE: May 23, 1997
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