[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 103 (Thursday, September 7, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ASSISTANCE AND BILL OF RIGHTS ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TOM BLILEY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2000

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4920, the 
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. 
Congressmen Lazio and Hoyer are to be saluted for their hard work in 
ensuning that the Developmental Disabilities Act (DD Act) will be 
reauthorized this year. The bill before the House is very similar to 
the DD Act reauthorization which passed the other chamber by a vote of 
99-0. It is bipartisan in nature, and I urge that the House pass this 
legislation today.
  It is estimated that there are more than 4 million individuals living 
with developmental disabilities in our nation today. To ensure that 
these individuals have access to programs which allow them to live life 
to their fullest potential, this reauthorization continues funding for 
programs which have proven effective over the past decades.
  There are four major, historic components of the DD Act. These are: 
(1) State Developmental Disability Councils, which advise governors and 
state agencies about the best ways to meet the needs of individuals 
with developmental disabilities; (2) protection and advocacy systems, 
which ensure that individuals living with developmental disabilities 
are protected from neglect, abuse, exploitation, and the violation of 
their legal and human rights; (3) University Affiliated Programs, much 
like the one at the Medical College of Virginia, which train the 
professionals of tomorrow who will treat individuals with developmental 
disabilities; and (4) projects of national significance.
  Beyond providing DD Councils, P & A systems and University Affiliated 
Programs with greater flexibility, the bill also includes a Title which 
creates the Reaching Up Scholarship Program to provide vouchers for 
individuals who provide direct support to individuals with 
developmental disabilities.
  Importantly, the bill contains language which ensures that 
individuals with developmental disabilities, along with their families, 
are the primary decisionmakers regarding the services and supports such 
individuals and their families receive, including the choice of where 
the individuals should live. We have heard from one group, the Voice of 
the Retarded, who is concerned that this language does not go far 
enough in protecting residential choice for individuals with 
developmental disabilities. So I want to make it clear that the Act 
before us in no way is meant to preclude residential choice. It is not 
intended to send a signal that the Federal government supports closing 
certain facilities, or that the Federal government opposes such 
actions. Instead, these decisions are to be left to the individual 
States. Because I believe the concerns of the Voice of the Retarded are 
heartfelt and legitimate, I pledge to work with them in the 
implementation of this Act, and to ask the General Accounting Office to 
investigate whether individuals with developmental disabilities are 
precluded from choosing the residential option of their preference.
  As a last note, I want to stress the importance of family support 
programs. The other body included in their reauthorization a Title 
which would allow States to compete for family support grants, intended 
to help families raising children with developmental disabilities. 
While the bill before us does not contain such a Title, I want to 
assure the disability community that I will do all in my power to fight 
for this Title in Conference.

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