John D. Kemp, the president and chief executive officer of the Viscardi Center, has been named the recipient of this year’s Dole Leadership Prize, given annually by the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas, the center announced on Wednesday.
The award recognizes an individual or organization whose public leadership inspires others, according to the Dole Center, named after the former Republican senator and presidential candidate.
Kemp will be awarded the prize, which includes a $25,000 award that Kemp plans to donate to the Albertson-based center, during an interview-style event at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas on Dec. 14.
“I am humbled to have been chosen by the senator to receive this year’s Dole Leadership Prize and to join an elite group of past recipients who have made positive impacts on the lives of people around the world,” Kemp said in a statement. “I have dedicated my life to improving the quality of life for all people with disabilities and it is my hope that this distinction shines the spotlight on the Viscardi Center and the work it does every day to build the leaders of tomorrow and contributing members of society today.”
Kemp, who uses four prostheses, holds degrees from Georgetown University and the Washburn University School of Law. He has also been a board member, chairman or chief executive officer of several disability and nonprofit organizations.
Kemp, who has been president and CEO of the Viscardi Center since 2011, has served on the Medicaid Commission and the U.S. State Department’s Advisory Committee on Persons With Disabilities.
In 1995, Kemp co-founded the American Association of People With Disabilities, and in 2001 became a partner at the Washington, D.C. law firm Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C.
Kemp was asked in 2012 to serve on the state’s Ready Commission, which prepares to maintain health care, transportation, communication and energy services in future disasters.
He joins former South African President Nelson Mandela, former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, former Ukranian President Viktor Yushchenko, former U.S. Health Secretary and current University of Miami President Donna Shalala, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, former U.S. senators Howard Baker (R-Tennessee) and George McGovern (D-South Dakota), former Polish President Lech Walesa and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) as past recipients of the award.
“As a wounded veteran and tireless advocate for disability rights, Sen. Dole has taken a personal interest in Mr. Kemp’s outstanding service to the disabilities community,” said Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute. “Sen. Dole and the Dole Institute are passionate about highlighting the unique work and inspiring life of Mr. Kemp and what he has accomplished for the disabilities movement. He simply couldn’t be more deserving of this award.”
The Viscardi Center, which is located at 201 I.U. Willets Road, is a network of non-profit organizations that educates, employs and empowers children and adults with disabilities.
