 
A letter from Sally Atwater, Executive Director; and
Madeleine C. Will, Chairperson
President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
December 21, 2004
A Charge to Keep for People with Intellectual Disabilities
On July 25, 2003, citizen members of an important committee met with President George W. Bush in the Oval Office. President Bush signed an executive order to change the name of this Committee from the “President’s Committee on Mental Retardation” to the “President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities” (PCPID). These new words helped change old ideas about people with intellectual disabilities.
At the signing, members of the Committee were drawn to a painting that hung on the wall near the President’s desk. The painting depicts a man on horseback riding with determination up a steep, rough trail. The painting is titled “A Charge to Keep.”
All citizens have a charge to keep.
On February 1, 2001, President Bush signed his New Freedom Initiative to ensure that Americans with disabilities have the chance to learn, develop skills, work, make choices about their daily lives and be included in their communities. With this initiative, President Bush charged members of this Committee to respond to the needs of people within this unique community.
Committee members responded. First, we created a "Road Map for People with Intellectual Disabilities" to improve their lives in the 21st century. We identified key goals of developing technology, setting high standards, finding more jobs and respecting the rights of people with intellectual disabilities.
We have raised important questions:
“Why can’t people with intellectual disabilities have a savings account?”
“How can the image of people with intellectual disabilities be improved in our society?”
“How can people with intellectual disabilities engage more fully in the workforce when they are scared about losing their benefits?”
“How can people with intellectual disabilities live productive lives when they are forced to negotiate a maze of bureaucratic regulations?”
Pursuant to the Committee’s charge, a new report to the President has been drafted. The report, titled A Charge We Have to Keep: A Road Map to Personal and Economic Freedom for People with Intellectual Disabilities, addresses key goals and tackles important questions in order to tear down obstacles for persons with intellectual disabilities.
The report’s companion booklet is the first publication written in plain language intended to reach all Americans, including people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Please read our new report and its companion booklet.
We have a charge to keep to help people with intellectual disabilities reach their goal of personal and economic freedom.
/S/
Sally Atwater
Executive Director
President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
/S/
Madeleine C. Will
Chairperson
President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
"A Charge to Keep" (W.H.D. Koerner)