[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SUPPORT SPECIAL EDUCATION

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                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2000

  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the House overwhelmingly 
approved H.R. 4055, the IDEA Full Funding Act, which will allow the 
federal government to fully fund their share of special education. The 
bill provides a $2 billion yearly increase in special education 
spending, beginning with $7 billion for fiscal year 2001 and ending 
with $25 billion for fiscal year 2010.
  In 1975, Congress promised every child in America a quality 
education, and it has failed to fulfill that promise.
  Special education should be a top priority of America and this 
Congress as we prepare our children for the next century. No child in 
Colorado or America should be left behind simply because of their 
disability.
  Currently, the state of Colorado receives $28.4 million to educate 
special education students--even though the federal government promised 
to pay $145.7 million. If the federal government met its 40 percent 
commitment to IDEA, the state would receive $117 million more a year.
  This is money that could go to pay for more computers, increased pay 
for teachers or smaller classrooms.
  It is time for promises made to be promises kept. With millions of 
dollars being wasted on unauthorized or inefficient government 
programs, there is no excuse for failing to fulfill the promise to fund 
40 percent of special education programs.
  With better accountability of programs within the budget process, we 
would already have the funds available for special education.
  Instead, we are on the path of underfunding and depriving special 
education students the quality education they deserve.
  Again, I would like to thank my colleagues for their support of H.R. 
4055 and thank Chairman Goodling for his hard and dedicated work on 
this bill.




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