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E-News from Washington Vol. 04-03 March 5, 2004 
Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) to Serve as Honorary Chair of Mental Health Counseling Week 

The American Mental Health Counselors Association is pleased to announce that Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) has agreed to serve as Honorary Chair of Mental Health Counseling Week, to be held May 2 through 8, during National Mental Health Month. 

Mental Health Counseling Week is designated each year to educate parents and families, communities, schools, health policymakers and insurers, health professionals, and employers about the importance of good mental health and the profession of mental health counseling.

Sen. Daschle has long been an advocate for the mentally ill. He has demonstrated his commitment by working in Congress to enact legislation to improve access to mental health services and is the original sponsor of S. 10, the Health Care Coverage Expansion and Quality Improvement Act, legislation that, among other things, would provide parity for mental health services. Daschle is also a cosponsor of S. 310, the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act, legislation to include licensed mental health counselors as providers for the Medicare program. 

Daschle was born in rural South Dakota and was the first person in his family to graduate from college when he earned a political science degree from South Dakota State University in 1969. After serving three years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command, Daschle spent five years as a congressional aide. In 1978, Daschle returned to South Dakota to run for the U.S. House of Representatives where he served until 1986 when he ran for the U.S. Senate. Today, Daschle services as Senior Senator and Minority Leader of the Senate.

In a letter to mental health counselors, Sen. Daschle said, "As you know, I am a strong supporter of your profession and a true believer in the cause of mental health awareness and promotion, as well as parity for mental health treatment. Please be assured that I support your commemoration of “National Mental Health Counseling Week” and will continue working to ensure that important mental health legislation is enacted into law.” 

"AMHCA applauds Sen. Daschle for his work on behalf of those who suffer from mental illness, and for his commitment to working in Congress to make mental health services more widely available to our nation's citizens," said AMHCA President Gail Adams. "We are honored to have Sen. Daschle serve as Honorary Chair of Mental Health Counseling Week and look forward to working with him in the future."

Beth Powell
Director, Public Policy and Professional Issues
American Mental Health Counselors Association
801 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 304
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: 800-326-2642, ext. 105
Phone: 703-548-6002, ext. 105
Fax: 703-548-4775
Website: www.amhca.org