[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 116 (Tuesday, September 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF EDUCATION FOR ALL HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ACT

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                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2000

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my 
colleagues in voicing my support for House Concurrent Resolution 399, 
which recognizes the federal government's responsibility to educate all 
handicapped children in our nation. November 29, 2000 will mark the 
25th Anniversary of the Education for all Handicapped Children's Act 
passage into law (Public Law 94-142). The act was later renamed the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
  The IDEA established the federal government's objective of educating 
all of America's children, including those with severe disabilities. In 
1986, the act was amended to create a preschool grant program for 
children ages 3 to 5, with disabilities and an early intervention 
program for infants and toddlers with disabilities.
  Currently, IDEA programs serve an estimated 200,000 infants and 
toddlers, 600,000 preschoolers and 5.4 million children ages 6 through 
21 nationwide. The Houston Independent School District provides 
educational opportunities for about 21,000 students in the City of 
Houston through this important program.
  I would like to recognize the outstanding work that the Council for 
Exceptional Children Chapter 100 located in the City of Houston has 
done. This organization represents the teachers who teach these special 
children in the Houston area. Because of the dedication of 
administrators, teachers, parents and the students themselves IDEA can 
be called an ``American Success Story.''
  I would urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this important 
Act. I would like to also urge the Senate to act on their version of 
the Full Funding Bill for IDEA, which is currently awaiting action in 
the Senate. The House version of this bill H.R. 4055, IDEA Full Funding 
Act, was passed in the House on Representatives on May 3rd of this 
year.

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