Mental Retardation:A Historical Review 1966-1985
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 278 202 EC 191 769 AUTHOR Krause, Fred J. TITLE President's Committee on Mental Retardation:A Historical Review 1966-1985. INSTITUTION President's Committee on Mental Retardation, Washington, D.C. PUB DATE [86] NOTE 38p. PUB TYPE Information Analyses (070)-- Reports Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage% DESCRIPTORS Civil Rights; *Committees; CommunityPrograms; Federal Legislation; Federal Programs; History; *Human Services; *Mental Retardation; Public Relations; *Resource Materials; State Federal Aid; *Welfare Services IDENTIFIERS *Presidents Committee on Mental Retardaticn ABSTRhCT Recommendations of the President's Committeeon Mental Retardation to encourage collaborationamong government, voluntary, individual, community, and privatesector efforts are reported in this publication which presentsa historical review of the Committee from 1966 through 1986. The backgroundand establishment of the Committee are discussed in the firstsection, covering appointment of a panel (1961),a national advertising and awareness campaign (1963), a White House Conference (1963), and major legislation for mental retardation planning,program development, and construction (1963). The Committee's initialwork (1966-1972) is described in the second section, including informationon early leaders, major publications, concern for native Americans,goal setting, and the legal rights movement. The work ofthe Committee from 1973-1980 is discussed in the third section, coveringsuch areas as White House activities, emphasis on communityprograms, and prevention of mental retardation. The Committee'scurrent activities are discussed in the final section, including formation ofa new committee, addressing rights of mentally retardedpersons, and sponsoring activities concerned with the preventionof mental retardation. Appendices present:a list of members of the President's Panel on Mental Retardation;a list of vice chairpersons and executive directors; the executive order establishingthe President's Committee on Mental Retardation; statementof goals and accomplishments; a list of committee members; and listsof annual reports and other publications of the committee. (CB) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRSare the best that can be made from the original document. *********************a*********************************************** - - ',^,--rw...4.;.Zil WNW '74'5 ViEWM&AllfiZ' Ximeeet 1,c;ge;ttt,cire,, aS/ze-ciet.40e).%plon/Pae-i'q,") 2if *ri4ce,. 3 U.S. DEPARTMENT Office of Educational OF EDUCATION, Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) CI41;is documenthas been reproduced as received from the person originating it. or organization O Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of vpw or opinionsstated in this docu . ment do hot necessarilyrepresent official OERI position or policy. President's Committee On Mental Retardation: A Historical Review 1966-1985 Prepared by: Fred J. Krause, Former Executive Director, PCMR and PCMR Ad Hoc Committee Members A Preface Over the past three decades,we have witnessed retardation in the foregmund. Duringthe decade of many accomplishments in the field of mental retarda- the 1970's to the present, considerableactivities have tion. In the 1950's, in response to the social activism taken place under the leadership ofthe President's of families and professionals concerned with the con- Committee on Mental Retardation. The resultsof this dition of mental retardation, theDepartment of collaboration between government, voluntary, Health, Education, and Welfare established in- the dividual and community effoi ts, andthe private sec- Secretary's Committee on Mental Retardation. This tor are reported, in this publication. was the first emerging effort to coordinate Federal ac- Itis hoped that this historical account willbe tivities in mental retardation. helpful to future members of the Pmident'sCommit- In 1961, President John F. Kennedyestablished the tee on Mental Retardation, State Developmental President's Panel on Mental Retardation,which DisabilitiesCouncils,Associationsfor Retarded resulted in the involvement of theexecutive and Citizens, and to the many voluntaryand charitable legislative branches in setting policiesand establishing groups whose contributions are an everyday event. new programs. Federal initiative was matchedby the Today the field of mental retardation isentering a fifty States as governors and their administrators period of change, with greater communityinvolve- followed the lead of President Kennedy. ment and awareness, and the developmentof closer Since 1966, the President's Committee on Mental alliances between organizational interests,because of Retardation has been successful in meetingits objec- this, we feel an historical account is timelyonethat tives through coordination of all threebranches of will provide both background and directionfor future government. In addition, it has encouraged advocacy accomplishments. organizations to keep the rights of peoplewith mental Acknowledgement In 1986, the President's Committee on Mentaltributed significantly to establishingthe authenticity Retardation will commemorate its twentieth anniver- of this report. Major credit is givento PCMR sary. In preparation for this, the committee members member Marguerite Shine, whose requested a report outlining the history of the encouragement to com- the author helped make this projecta reality. mittee.This accounthighlightsthe major ac- Many of the PCMR staff were importantassis- complishments since the initial President's Panelontants, particularly Nancy Borders and Helen Mental Retardation. Cald- well, as well as the public affairs staffof PCMR. The contributions of all committee members have The histoty of PCMR is, in fact, been impressive under the able leadership of Chairper- a product of everyone who has served on the President's Commit- sons Leonard W. Mayo, George Tarjan, M.D., Vice tee on Mental Retardation since 1966, includingstaff Chairperson, Robert Aldrich, M.D., Congressmanand consultants. Clair Burgener, Lorraine Beebe, Henry Cobb, Ph.D., Finally, my appreciation tomy wife and family, Herbert Cohen, M.D., Elsie Helsel, Ph.D. andmostwhose understanding and assistance recently Albert L. Anderson, D.D.S. were exceptional. The assistance of members, staff,and colleagues has been invaluable in documenting thishistory of the President'sCommittee on Mental Retardation (PCMR). Their expertise and dedicationhave con- Fred J. Krause , SERVICES OF HEALTH ANDHUMAN THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON. D.C.20201 The President House The White 20500 Washington,D.C. Dear Mr.President: account ofthe submit anhistorical honor to This report and It is an MentalRetardation. officials, Committee on Federaland state President's cooperation of state whohaveresponded the people in every acknowledgesthousands of Committee onMental literally thePresident's .to theleadership of Retardation. Mental Committee on had on of thePresident's Committee has The history the impactthe the demonstrates policies, and Retardation andrehabilitationthe preventionand social,educational, made towards provides an contributions This document significant of mentalretardation.and privatesector amelioration of public society to demonstration influence our encouraging which willcontinue to citizens who are collaboration, responsive toour be moreaccepting and retarded. mentally the supportyou have leadership and continued appreciate your together for We forward toworking provided, andwe look future. progressin the Sincerely, Otis R.Bowen, M.D. Secretary 3 THE WHITEHOUSE WASHINGTON September 7,1984 I wantto thank Committee all the behalf on Mental membersof the ofa Retardation cultyin group of foryourPresident's representingAmericancitizens effortson You themselves. whohave haveserved diffi- zenswell. our six special Your million problemsactionsin mentallyretarded regulations thatwoulddrawingattention citi- specific affecting becreated tothe legislation,them,and of bychanges positions speak our needto in correspondwithwell ofyour support Your my concern. continuing Administration's These important support policies. me issuesis ofthis callingfor thegreatly Administration in privateappreciated. onmany employing sectorto Thereport serviceto themmentallyretarded recognize to to all and workers thewisdom Americans. potential was notonly employers;itwas a a Now,once service effortsare.again,youare The provinghow ourRetardation theme ofyour important effortstoAwareness,"calls current your tardation. combatthe upon all meeting,"Mental The causesandAmericansto asappropriate an Americanpeople effectsof assist integralservicesand to are being mentalre- havemy part of accept askedto complete our mentally support support.society.For retardedpeople Nancy thosegoals, and Isend you success. youour best wishesfor everyfuture Q.-.10. History of President's Committee on Mental Retardation Background e4. Itrktfra"vilt7"4497"' Aftem he foundation of the President's Committee on various other countries, including Russia, England, Mental Retardation was established in October, Denmark and Sweden. 1961, when President John F. Kennedy an- The President's Panel on Mental Retardation nounced the formation of the Presidential Panel on published its report, A Proposed Program for Na- Mental Retardation. The panel of distinguished tional Action to Combat Mental Retardation, in Americans, led by its chairman, Leonard Mayo, laun- 1962. This