Harkin Presents Senator Kennedy with Frank Harkin Memorial Award for his Leadership on Disability Issues

Press Release

Harkin Presents Senator Kennedy with Frank Harkin Memorial Award for his Leadership on Disability Issues

U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), a longtime leader of ensuring equality amongst the millions of Americans with disabilities, presented Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) with the Frank Harkin Memorial Award last night during the National Council of Independent Living annual conference. Senator Kennedy's son, Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), accepted the award on behalf of his father. The award, a memorial to Senator Harkin's brother Frank Harkin, who was deaf, is given annually to a person who has worked to end discrimination and create opportunities for Americans with disabilities.

Harkin, chief author in the Senate of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), was fortunate to have Senator Kennedy as a key partner in passing the landmark legislation in 1990. As chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, then called Labor and Human Resources Committee, Senator Kennedy's support was an integral part of the bill's passage and his work since has made a huge difference in the lives of Americans with disabilities.

"I witnessed first-hand the treatment my brother Frank was subject to while we were growing up and I vowed to change the way Americans perceived and treated people with disabilities," said Senator Harkin. "I was thrilled when I arrived in the Senate to learn that Senator Kennedy - one of the top leaders in the Senate - shared the same passion. With his help, we were able to pass the ADA and began to see real change. The law literally opened doors for people with disabilities, allowing them access to new employment opportunities, access to new places and access to fuller lives. But more importantly, the law began to change how those with disabilities were seen by others. Senator Kennedy has always dedicated his life to helping those who are too often ignored and this is no exception. I want to thank him for all the work he has done to help every American, including those with disabilities."

"Senator Kennedy is honored to be receiving the Frank Harkin Memorial Award not only because it represents the many contributions of people with disabilities to our communities, but because of Senator Tom Harkin's leadership. There's no greater leader on disability issues than Senator Harkin, and Senator Kennedy feels fortunate to have worked with him so closely over the years on legislation that opens doors of opportunity to those with disabilities," said Melissa Wagoner, Spokesperson for Senator Ted Kennedy.

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