Political Quotes

“We wish to do this today because today marks the 50th anniversary to the day that President John F. Kennedy signed into law the Community Mental Health Act. The good news is he signed this act. The unfortunate news is it was the last act he signed in his life. Today we want to recognize what that has meant to so many people across the country. This put in place the ability to serve people in the community who have mental health issues, rather than only being in institutions, being able to serve people closer to home, at home or to be able to give them the opportunity to get the help they need and still be active and successful in the community. I think so many of us have been touched by mental health issues, which is part of physical--it is not mental and physical health. I think it is about time. I know my friend would agree that we start treating illnesses above the neck differently than illnesses below the neck. It is all about comprehensive health care. We have all been touched in some way. My father went undiagnosed with a bipolar disorder for 10 years when I was growing up. When he finally received the help he needed, the medication he needed, he was able to work and be successful for the rest of his life. I wish to make sure every family has that opportunity. I know for President Kennedy it was his younger sister Rosemary who was institutionalized in the early 1940s and that brought him to this issue as well as to other passionate concerns that he had.…”