NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

For Immediate Release                 

May 8, 2008

For More Information

Melinda Cooke, National Press Club

(202) 662 -7516, mcooke@press.org

Senator Robert Dole To Address a National Press Club Luncheon on May 23

“Making the System Work for Today's Veterans”

Washington, DC- -Sen. Robert Dole will assess the changes being made to improve care for today's wounded veterans at a National Press Club luncheon speech on Friday, May 23 that leads off the Memorial Day weekend.

Dole, a U.S. senator from Kansas for 28 years and a decorated WWII veteran, is co-chair of President Bush's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors. The bipartisan Commission, co-chaired by Donna Shalala, former secretary of health and human services under President Clinton, recommended a series of pragmatic changes to the system of care provided to returning veterans of the prolonged conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In its report released last August, the Commission called for rules to simplify the confusing standards for determining disability and compensation; eliminate overlapping activities between the Defense Department and the Veterans Administration; reduce inequities; and provide the tools for injured veterans to return to productive civilian lives. The report came in the wake of disclosures of woefully inadequate treatment of veterans at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, and at other military hospitals.

"Our mission was to make the (existing) system work better for this new generation of veterans," Dole and Shalala declared in a joint summary statement. Dole will provide an update on the results of the Commission's work in his luncheon address, as well as cover other issues.

Dole is special counsel in the Washington law firm of Alston & Bird. He served as majority leader of the GOP-controlled Senate for 12 years, chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1971-72, vice presidential running mate with President Gerald Ford in 1976, GOP presidential nominee in 1996. As a veteran, he was gravely wounded while a platoon leader with the Tenth Mountain Division in Italy in 1945. He holds a bronze star with oak leaf cluster and two purple hearts.

A native of Russell, KS, Dole is known as a speaker for his wit that carries a prairie bite. He is the author of two oft-quoted books: Great Political Wit: Laughing almost all the way to the White House, and Great Presidential Wit: I wish I was in the book.

The National Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. Senator Dole's remarks will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. Advance reservations should be made by telephoning (202) 662-7501.

Cost of the luncheon is $16 for National Press Club members, $28 for guests of members, and $35 general admission. The National Press Club is located at 14th and F. Streets, NW, one block west of Metro Center. http://www.press.org/