[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 4 (Thursday, January 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E22]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE IDEA FULL FUNDING ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 27, 2000

  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the IDEA Full 
Funding Act of 2000. This legislation provides an additional $2 billion 
a year for ten years to reach full funding of IDEA by 2010.
  In 1972, two landmark cases, PARC v. State of Pennsylvania and Mills 
v. Board of Education found that children with disabilities are 
guaranteed an equal opportunity to an education under the 14th 
amendment. In response to these cases, Congress enacted the Education 
for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, the predecessor of today's 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to assist state and 
local governments in meeting their responsibility to these children by 
agreeing to pay up to 40 percent of the cost of educating children with 
disabilities. However, to date, the federal government has never 
contributed more than 12.6 percent. States and school districts make up 
the difference.
  For instance, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) currently 
spends approximately $891 million to educate 81,000 disabled students. 
While the district receives approximately $500 million from the state 
and $42 million from the federal government for that purpose, it must 
tap into funds intended for other education programs to make up the 
$300 million shortfall. School districts all across the nation face 
similar dilemmas. Therefore, I am introducing this legislation to put 
us on a course for full funding by 2010.
  As we move into the 21st Century, we must make critical decisions 
about the priorities of this nation. In countries like Japan and China, 
education is a top priority, above even defense. This year alone, the 
U.S. Department of Defense will ask for $11 billion in new spending and 
according to OMBs most recent estimates, we can expect an $80 billion 
budget surplus for FY 2000. Surely we can spare an additional $2 
billion a year to ensure a brighter future for all Americans.

                          ____________________