Remarks and Official Statements
Remarks by Ambassador McEldowney
Psychological Center for Research
June 17, 2009
[As delivered]
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to be here with you today. And I use the word “honor” with intention and with great sincerity. I have very strong and very passionate personal feelings about the great endeavor you are all engaged in. And I am very proud to be able to be here and to lend not just my personal support but the support of the U.S. Embassy and the support of the United States government for what you are trying to achieve to improve the lives of individuals and to improve the entire society here.
The Psychological Center for Research is a leader in its field and a champion advocate for the rights and responsibilities that should accrue to every single citizen. The people in this room know better than anyone how much more needs to be accomplished, both inside Bulgaria and around the world. You know that there are still too many people, people with unique skills, and people with a desire to make a strong positive contribution, who are unable to exercise the full scope of personal freedoms because of externally – not internally, but externally – imposed barriers. Whether those barriers are physical, or psychological, whether they are barriers that are imposed because of prejudice, it doesn’t matter because they must all be torn down.
I know that the term “persons of disabilities” is often used. But I would argue that each of us, every person on this planet, has strengths and has limitations. And every society in this world has a responsibility to ensure that each of its citizens is treated with dignity and decency, and is able to enjoy the full range of rights and freedoms. And to pursue that struggle, to ensure that those barriers are torn down, this center, the Psychological Center for Research, is an indispensible and invaluable advocate. This Center has worked tirelessly to ensure access, access to buildings, access to care, access to civil liberties and civil rights. But I think most importantly, what this Center has done and continues to do with great success, is to educate, to inform, to change public attitudes, and drive public awareness.
I am delighted that you have chosen to premier this film that profiles the Kennedy family which has been a global leader in this struggle. With their help, with your help, and with the continuing unwavering leadership of these dedicated people, I am confident that we will advance toward our common goals. So, thank you very much for asking me to join you today, and thank you for the fabulous work that you are continuing to do.