2000 Kennedy Foundation International Awards in Mental Retardation, The

Awards

Ceremony

Program

THE 2000 KENNEDY FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL

Wednesday

August 2. 2000

Seattle Washington

Sherclt n Seattle

Hotel and Towers

Grand Ballroom

6·00 p.m.

/

Joseph P. Kennedy,

Jr.

Foundation

was established in 1946 by Ambassador and Mrs. Joseph P.

Kennedy in honor of their eldest son who was killed in World

War II. Since its inception, the foundation has improved the

lives of persons with mental retardation through its support of

programs in scientific research, medical ethics,

public service, education, the arts and sports.

Among the programs created or sponsored by the Kennedy

Foundation are: Special Olympics, Very Special Arts, The

Community of Caring, University Affiliated Programs and

research centers at major institutions across the U.S., the

lnterfaculty Program in Medical Ethics at Harvard University

and the Joseph and Rose Kennedy Institute of Ethics at

Georgetown University.

The Kennedy Foundation's Awards,

instituted in 1962, recognize

outstanding contributions in the

field of mental retardation.

P R O G R A

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Opening and Welcome Introduction of Speaker

Keynote Address

Musical Performance

Mr. Pat O'Brien

Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith

The Honorable Ma_ry Robinson,

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "Honoring Human Di_gniry and Worth" Randy and Isaac Chang

Waterwheel - Frank Lynes Pe1formed by Randy Chang

Savior, Like a Shepherd - William B. Bradbury Peiformed by Randy Chang

Sonatina in C, Op. 45, No 1 -Johann Anton Andre

Peiformed by Randy and Isaac Chang Sonatina in C - Carl Maria Von Weber Peiformed by Randy and Isaac Chang

Polonaise in A flat major, Op. 53 - Frederic Chopin Peiformed by Isaac Chang

Presentation of Awards

International Statesman Award Leadership in ... Education Award Rose Fitzgerald Kenned_y

Mother's Leadership Awards Self-Empowerment Award Media Impact Award Special Reco_gnition Award

Closing Remarks

Presenter: Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith Presenter: The Honorable Sargent Shriver Presenter: Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver Presenter: Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver Presenter: Dr. William Smith

Presenter: Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith Presenter: Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Mr. Pat O'Brien

KEYNOTE ADDRESS:

The Honorable Mary Robinson,

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Ma_ry Robinson, former President of Ireland, was appointed as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in 1997. Ms. Robinson has worked in the area of human rights, and is an expert in constitutional and European human rights law. She is a member of the English Bar and has served on the

International Commission of Jurists and the Adviso_ry Commission of Inter-Rights.

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THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AWARD

The Scientific Research Award is presented to an investigator who has made outstanding contributions to the knowledge of mental retardation in the biological or behavioral sciences and the application of that knowledge to the prevention or amelioration of mental retardation.

Dr. Richard Smithells, England

Dr. Smithells is Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Leeds, England. Dr. Smithe/ls was the first to demonstrate that B-vitamin Jolie acid, when taken prior to pregn_ancy, could reduce the incidence of recurrent neural tube defect pref!?lancies in women with prior histories. Dr. Smithe/ls has received numerous awards and recognitions for his groundbreaking work on Jolie acid deficien_cy and birth defects.

Dr. Nicholas WnJd, England

Dr. Wald is Head of the Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine at St. Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine. Dr. Wald continued th'e earlier work of Dr. Smithells by demonstrating in the first random­ ized controlled trial that Jolie acid could reduce the recurrence of neural tube defects. Dr. Wald's active and distinguished career has included work in the fields of preventive medicine, carcinogenics and medical ethics.

THE INTERNATIONAL STATESMAN AWARD

This award is presented to an individual whose leadership in government has positively influenced the lives of persons with mental retardation and their families and who has demonstrated vision and courage that has advanced the quality of life for persons with mental retardation.

Barbara Schmidbauer, Germany

As the parent of a child with Down syndrome and a former member of the European Parliament, Ms. Schmidbauer has long advocated for the civil rights of people with mental retardation and other disabilities. $he has championed numerous poli_cy issues of importance to persons with disabili­ ties, including transportation, communication, education and independent living. As Chair of the Intergroup on Disability, Ms. Schmidbauer introduced a nondiscrimination clause for persons with disabilities in the European Union Treaties.

THE LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION AWARD

This award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions in the development of innovative programs and practices that have resulted in positive

educational outcomes for students with mental retardation in public and private schools. Dr. Marie Cerna, Czech Republic

V Following the 1989 political changes in Czechoslovakia, Dr. Cerna led a new academic movement in special education that emphasized the abilities of persons with disabilities and the value of human differences. As head of the Special Education Department at Charles Universi'ty in Prague, Dr. Cerna desi_gned an innovative program of study which has served as a moael for other universities th

�ou bout the region.

Dr. Cerna is President of the Association or Help to People with ental Retardation.

THE SELF-EMPOWERMENT AWARD

This award is presented to an individual with mental retardation who has demonstrated the ability to advocate successfully for himself or herself and on behalf of others at local, state and national levels.

Clifford Poetz, USA Mr.''Poetz has been prominent self-advocate since the late 1970s when prevailing attitudes toward people with mental retardation were still paternalistic and protective. His wisdom and experience has been sought by numerous organizations and he has served on boards as diverse as a center for the peiforming arts, the Arc of Minnesota and tbe U.S. Governor's Council on Disabili'ty .

THE MEDIA IMPACT AWARD

This award is presented to an individual whose outstanding journalism has had a positive impact on the lives of persons with mental retardation and their families through the creation of national awareness of the issues affecting their lives.

Katherine Boo, The Washington Post, USA Through her investigative reporting, Ms. Boo has drawn national attention to the abysmal living conditions of people with mental retardation residing in group homes in the District of Columbia. She has broken new ground in her investigative reporting by including group home residents among her key sources. Her series of articles has resulted in major changes in the District's care system and has garnered several major journalism awards, including a Pulitzer Prize.

THE ROSE FITZGERALD KENNEDY MOTHER'S LEADERSHIP AWARD

This award is presented to a mother of a child with mental retardation who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and longstanding commitment to the develop­ ment and improvement of services, advocacy or public policy on behalf of her son or daughter or others with mental retardation.

Munira El Solh, Lebanon

Mrs. Salb is the mother of a son with mental retardation and a pioneer in establishing specialized services for persons with mental retardation in Lebanon. In 19 S 8, Mrs. Salb founded the Al-Amal Institute for the Disabled in Broummana, Lebanon, the first center for persons with disabilities in Lebanon and the Arab countries. Mrs. Salb has brought indi­ viduals with mental retardation into the public consczousness and allowed them to demonstrate their contributions to society.

Salome Francois, Ghana

As the mother of a daughter with a mental disability, Mrs. Francois established the New Horizon Special School, which is the only school in Ghana for children with mental retardation. Throughout her life she has forcefully and effectively advocated for people with mental retardation through the public

acknowledgement of her own daughter, through her work with Special Olympics and as a member of the National Committee to draft a national poli_cy on disability.

Sue Swenson, USA

Sue Swenson is the mother of a son with mental retardation. Ms. Swenson is Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, a nationwide network of programs desi_gned to improve the independence, productivity and inclusion of Americans with disabilities, where she is adeptly translating the needs of people with disabilities into public poli_cy. Ms. Swenson has a strong history of advocacy on behalf of people with mental retardation through her leadership in national parent organizations.

THE SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Kiwanis International

Kiwanis clubs have a long history of service that reaches every community based on the theme of Serving the Children of the World. The Kennedy Foundation is recognizing Kiwanis International for its global battle against preventable mental retardation through the elimination of iodine deficien_cy disor­ ders. Iodine is essential for proper brain and nervous system development. Yet 500 million children live in iodine-deficient areas of the world. Kiwanis clubs have raised $46 million dollars to support salt iodination in 77 countries.

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In the Spirit of

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

mental retardation.

Mrs. Kennedy was often described as a ''professional mother"- someone who directly inspired her children and grandchildren and, indirectly, countless others around the world. "Millions who never met her sensed the kind of rare and wondrous person she was - a shining example of the faith that sustained her through even the hardest sorrow, " her son Senator Edward M. Kennedy once said.

Mrs. Kennedy

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The award is given tonight to three outstanding women who have carried forward Mrs. Kennedy

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1995 Kennedy Award Winners

Dr. Saul Brusilow L_ynne Seagle Christopher L_ynch Dr. Susan Brody Hasazi Anne M. Forts '"Rosario Marin United States United States Ireland United States United States United States

1990 Kennedy Award Winners

Edward Zigler The Kingslley Family Marty W_yngaarden Krauss Paul Wehman *Ann Turnbull United States United States United States United States United States United States

1986 Kennedy Award Winners

Herbert A. Lubs, M.D. Karl Grunewald, M.D. Drs. Rosemary and Gunnar Dybwad Robert Guthrie, M.D. Janet Marchese Lorraine and V.K.

"Warren" Tashjian Family William Britt Nancy L. Mc Daniel United States Sweden United States United States United States United States United States United States

1971 Kennedy Award Winners

Harry M. Meyer, Jr., M.D. United States Paul D. Parkman, M.D. United States

George A. Jervis, M.D., Ph.D. United States

B.F. Skinner, Ph.D. United States

Mother Theresa Jean Vanier, Ph.D. Elizabeth M. Boggs Ph. D. George Tarjan, M.D. India France United States United States

1968 Kennedy Award Winners

Harold M. Skeels, Ph. D. Marie P. Skodak, Ph.D. Jack Tizard, Ph.D.

Neil O'Connor Maria Egg, Ph.D.

Neils Erik Bank Mikkelsen Robert E. Cooke, M.D. Harvey A. Stevens

The Canadian Association for

United States United States England England Switzerland Denmark United States United States

the Mentally Retarded Canada

1966 Kennedy Award Winners

Louis K. Diamond, M.D. Fred H. Allen, Jr., M.D. Alexander S. Wiener, M.D. Philip Levine, M.D.

Eloisa Garcia Etchegoyhen

United States United States United States United States

de Lorenzo Uruguay

Renee S. Portray, M.D. .• Belgium

Sisters of the Third Order

of St. Francis of Assisi United States

1964 Kennedy Award Winners

Grover F. Powers, M.D. Robert P. L. Eaton, M.D. Lionel S. Penrose, M.D. Senator Lister Hill

Congressman John E. Fogarty Honorable Bert T. Combs

United States France England United States United States United States

1962 Kennedy Award Winners

Ivar A. Folling, M.D. Jerome Lejeune, M.D.

Murray L. Barr, M.D. Joe Hin Tjio, M.D.

Samuel A. Kirk, Ph.D. National Association for

Retarded Children Norway France Canada Indonesia United States United States

Both the Old and New Testaments record the deeds of Raphael, chief of the guardian angels who protects and guides mankind. It is his

high office to bring hope to those whose lives are burdened with sickness and infirmity. He healed Abraham, the wounded

patriarch. He was sent by God to guide the youthful Tobias on his journey. Raphael, most appropriately, is the angel whose

hand stirred the waters of the pool at Bethesda. Next to his pool lay the blind, the sick, the palsied and infirm. The first sick person to bathe in the pool after the waters moved was cured of his malady.

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation has chosen the Seraph as the symbol for its Foundation Prize because it wishes to honor great

knowledge as the servant of compassion and love.

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation commissioned Art C_rystal to desi_gn and create the awards that will be presented this evening. All of

Sandor Va_rga� unique crystal desi_gns are hand engraved. Sandor Varga

has brought the extremely difficult technique of Diamond Point Engraving to the highest level of pictorial skill. This type of hand engraving is

exceedingly difficult and done by

Sandor Varga and his personally trained craftsmen. Through the poetic quality of his

exquisite engravi_ngs, he manages

to transform c_rystal into magnifi­

cent works of art. Each engraved piece

is a fresh discovery created, by the relent­ less stamina of an artist who demands the most of himself as a tribute to thoughiful research and careful, laborious execution. His team of artisans and craftsmen create desi_gns that are unsurpassed for brilliance and beauty.

Randy Chang, Delaware

Randy Chang is a 19-year-old who was born with Down syndrome and is l_egally blind. These conditions have not deterred him in his pursuit of excellence in music and he has peiformed at a wide variety of charity events and functions. In 19 94, he was selected as the state representative for the

Ve_ry Special Arts of Delaware and peiformed at the International Festival in Belgium. Randy is also an award­ winning public speaker.

Isaac Chang, Delaware

Isaac Chang won the International Young Artist Piano Competition inl 988 and has peiformed with numerous orchestras throughout the US. In addition to his musical caree1� Isaac is a biomedical engineer with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He is the founder of Beacon Music, Inc., which captures his diverse interests in acoustic engineering, business, art and music.

Pat O'Brien, California

Pat O'Brien is the co-anchor of ''Access Hollywood," the daily entertainment newsmagazine show which is currently providing its fourth season of the most comprehensive coverage of entertainment news on television. This fall, O'Brien will return to the Olympics as host of CNBC's coverage of the events in Sydney, Australia, marking the first-ever complete cable coverage of an Olympic Games.