Speaking Fees and Dole Foundation

Sara Fritz’s report about congressional speaking fees and charitable foundations (“Speech Fees: Handy Tool for Congress,” Part I, Jan. 16) was a sad disservice to your readers and to disabled Americans.

As president and chief executive officer of the Dole Foundation--one of The Times targets--I want an opportunity to set the record straight.

The Times claims that the Dole Foundation is “perhaps the most elaborate outgrowth of excess honorariums.” This statement is preposterous. In the four years the Dole Foundation has operated, Sen. Robert Dole’s (R-Kan.) contribution of “excess” honorariums accounts for less than 1% of the total funds we have received. The fact is that the vast majority of our funds come from corporations and individuals, not congressmen.

Sen. Dole--one of the nation’s 36 million persons with a disability--established the Dole Foundation in 1983 to help the disabled develop employment skills and to make work areas accessible to them.

Times readers were not informed about the 10 programs we have funded in California alone, which total $295,234, or about the hundreds of people with disabilities across the nation who have been given marketable skills as a result of the foundation’s efforts.

I am proud of the accomplishments of this organization. Our purpose is to enhance employment opportunities for people with disabilities, not to “redistribute” honorariums.

JACKIE A. STRANGE

President and CEO

The Dole Foundation

Washington, D.C.