[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 14, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S5010]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. FRIST (for himself and Mr. Harkin):
  S. 1757. A bill to amend the Developmental Disabilities Assistance 
and Bill of Rights Act to extend the act, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.


  extension of the developmental disabilities assistance and bill of 
                               rights act

 Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today I am introducing a simple 
extension of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of 
Rights Act. This act is the result of more than 25 years of national 
bipartisan collaboration to secure basic rights for our Nation's most 
vulnerable citizens.
  Before the Developmental Disabilities Act was signed in 1970, 
Americans who happened to be born with developmental disabilities such 
as mental retardation and severe physical disabilities often lived and 
died in institutions where many were subjected to unspeakable 
conditions far worse than conditions found in any American prison.
  As a nation, we had a lot to learn about how we could help people 
with developmental disabilities live more independent and more 
productive lives. We had a lot to learn about: How to help families 
find the strength to bring up their children with developmental 
disabilities in their family home; how to teach children with 
developmental disabilities in our schools; how to make room for these 
citizens to live and work in the heart of our communities; and how to 
ensure safe and humane living environments for those citizens with 
developmental disabilities who remain in residential facilities.
  It has taken courage to face the fact that we had so much to learn. 
Because of the Developmental Disabilities Act, we have made tremendous 
progress across the Nation in all of these areas--education, living 
arrangements, and meaningful participation in community activities for 
many individuals with developmental disabilities. We are still 
learning.
  When we reauthorize the Developmental Disabilities Act, we show that 
we support programs that help people with developmental disabilities 
continue to live independent and productive lives--and with as little 
bureaucracy and government intrusion as possible.
  This goal was almost unthinkable two decades ago. New technology, new 
services, new professional practices, and new ways of thinking about 
Americans who have the most severe and life-long disabilities have 
created opportunities beyond what we thought possible. Research has 
shown that the DD Act programs make significant contributions to this 
progress, and they do it with minimal Federal control.
  The DD Act programs are flexible and responsive to the needs of 
consumers--people with developmental disabilities and their families--
in each State. Federal funding is limited, so successful programs must 
leverage Federal funds by seeking State grants and training contracts, 
and grants from other sources. The programs have demonstrated that they 
can be cost-effective while attaining good results for the people who 
use them.
  Since the DD Act was originally authorized, it has created a lean 
infrastructure of programs including, in each state, a university 
affiliated program to educate university students in developmental 
disabilities-related fields and to conduct research and training to 
meet the needs of State agencies; a Developmental Disabilities Council 
appointed by the Governor of each State to define and carry out State 
initiatives; and a protection and advocacy organization to provide 
legal assistance to persons with developmental disabilities, especially 
those who are living in institutions.
  DD Act networks have been successful at creating new service models 
for people with developmental disabilities without creating new 
bureaucracies. With the 1994 amendments, made only 2 years ago, we can 
reauthorize it as it stands today and know that the continuous 
improvements we expect will be sought. As a nation, we are now able to 
create opportunities for many Americans with developmental disabilities 
to live and work in our communities, where services are decentralized 
and cost-effective. From this success, we have identified new 
challenges, and we still need to work to improve these community-based 
programs so they can meet any client's needs.
  Clearly, our work is not finished. The simple and fundamental rights 
shared by every American citizen--to life, liberty and the pursuit of 
happiness--are not yet secure for those of us who have developmental 
disabilities. For this reason, it is essential that we extend the 
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act this year. 
We must not forget the rights of Americans with developmental 
disabilities this year, or ever again.

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