[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 64 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          BENJAMIN BURROUGHS, HAWAII'S 1996 RESPECTEEN WINNER

                                 ______


                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 1996

  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, as part of the Lutheran 
Brotherhood's Speak For Yourself program, over 15,000 students 
nationwide wrote to their Members of Congress on various public policy 
issues. Benjamin Burroughs, an eighth grader from my district, was 
chosen as the Hawaii State winner of the letter writing contest. In his 
thoughtful letter regarding persons with disabilities, he drew from his 
brother's experience with autism. He effectively argued that Congress 
should strengthen the Individuals with Disabilities Act and increase 
public awareness on the issue.
  Benjamin is only 14 years old, but he wrote an excellent letter on a 
complex topic. I applaud his concern and willingness to take action an 
a matter that directly affects his family. Benjamin attends Kahuku High 
and Intermediate School. I join with his parents, Lonia and Jeffry 
Burroughs of Laie, HI, to congratulate Benjamin on an outstanding 
effort. The text of his letter is as follows:
                                                 January 30, 1996.
     Hon Patsy Mink,
     U.S. House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Mink. I believe that with the new 
     conservative Republican swing, there is a pressing problem 
     that is like firecracker with a lit fuse waiting to burst. 
     These legisaltors intend to put more power with the 
     individual states and less with the federal government. This 
     scares me because it is highly likely that some states will 
     cut funding for the education of people with disabilities. In 
     1981 when federal law required education for children with 
     mental diabilities from ages 3-5, states were given ten years 
     to comply. Many states complied quickly but many did not. An 
     example of this was South Carolina who waited until the last 
     minute of the deadline to comply.
       Early childhood intervention is a must. It is statistically 
     proven that if children with disabilities are taught at an 
     early age, they will be better able to function in society. 
     If persons with disabilities are not taught early so that 
     they can become productive members of society then they 
     become financial burdens on society. It pays to intervene 
     early.
       My brother is autistic and if power goes to the states, a 
     worst-case scenario would be that he couldn't go to school 
     altogether. There are two major things that you can do as a 
     representative to solve this problem. First, influence other 
     legislators to sustain the Individuals With Disabilities 
     Education Act [I.D.E.A.] and to maintain current federal 
     mandates protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. 
     Second is to require a module in every Guidance/Health class 
     in High School that will increase the overall education of 
     everyone about persons with disabilities.
       I think that if these two things are done then my brother 
     and thousands of persons with disabilities will be able to 
     have a good education and a better life.
           Sincerely,
     Ben Burroughs.

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