PPSV's John D. Kemp Recognized by Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao for Contributions toward Employment of People with Disabilities
October 24, 2007
John D. Kemp, a principal at the Washington law firm of Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC, was awarded a national New Freedom Initiative Award by US Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. For 45 years, Mr. Kemp has contributed toward enhancing the employment of Americans with disabilities. “The New Freedom Initiative Awards recognize exceptional commitment to helping Americans with disabilities succeed in the workplace and build careers,” said Secretary Chao.
PPSV President and Managing Partner Stan Freeman states, “the firm is so pleased to see John’s tireless work for people with disabilities recognized. John skillfully helps integrate people with disabilities into the global economy, work that is the epitome of win-win.”
In March 2006, Mr. Kemp received the Henry B. Betts Award, widely regarded as America’s highest honor for disability leadership and service. Presented jointly by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the Betts Award recognizes a person’s work and scope of influence that have significantly improved the quality of life for people with disabilities in the past and who continues to be a force for change in the future
Mr. Kemp currently serves on the State Department’s Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities which guides the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (USAID) in the formulation and implementation of US foreign policy and assistance with respect to people with disabilities. Mr. Kemp served as a Clinton presidential appointee to the National Council on Disability for six years ending in early 2002. In 1991 he was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.
In his law practice, Mr. Kemp serves as the chief executive officer for ACCSES, the US Business Leadership Network, the One Percent Coalition and HalfthePlanet Foundation in addition to serving a number of international and national corporate and nonprofit clients. He serves as a board member of several non-profit organizations, including the National Rehabilitation Hospital of Washington, Goodwill Industries of Greater Washington, DC, The Eric Fund, and the US International Council on Disabilities.
The Labor Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) coordinates the annual New Freedom Initiative Awards program. Introduced by President George W. Bush in 2001, the New Freedom Initiative is a government-wide effort to accelerate the full inclusion of people with disabilities into mainstream American life. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Along with Kemp in the “individual” category, the Secretary of Labor’s sixth annual New Freedom Initiative Award will be presented to three businesses and two nonprofit organizations.
ODEP is leading a 21st century federal response to the historic underemployment of people with disabilities. In collaboration with other government agencies, public and private employers, and additional stakeholders, ODEP facilitates the development and implementation of innovative policies and practices necessary to achieve a fully inclusive workplace. ODEP’s work primarily falls into three categories: employers and the workplace; workforce systems; and employment-related supports, which include education and training, health care, reliable transportation, affordable housing and assistive technology. For more information about this agency, please visit www.dol.gov/odep.
- US Department of Labor News Release, Oct. 24, 2007
Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville is a Washington, DC-based law firm that focuses on healthcare, education, disability and the law of tax-exempt organizations. For more information, please contact John Kemp or Stan Freeman at 202.466.6550 or e-mail john.kemp@ppsv.com or stan.freeman@ppsv.com.
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