[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E162-E163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COALITION FOR AUTISM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (C.A.R.E.) CAUCUS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 13, 2001

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today I joined with Rep. Mike 
Doyle of Pennsylvania and over 60 other Members of the House to 
introduce a new congressional caucus concerning autism called C.A.R.E., 
which stands for the Coalition for Autism Research and Education.
  As I have said many times before, the parents of children with autism 
are truly the voices of the voiceless. They are the protectors of those 
who cannot fend for themselves. For some years now, we have been 
working to provide help to the parents. But today we have 
reinforcements. Today we launch a new vehicle through which we can all 
work towards our common goals.
  The Coalition for Autism Research and Education (C.A.R.E.) is a 
bipartisan Congressional Member Organization (CMO) dedicated to 
improving research, education, and support services for persons with 
autism spectrun disorders. I am very proud to be a Co-Chairman of this 
new organization, and pleased to be working alongside my good friend, 
and Democrat colleague, Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania (PA-18).
  At today's press conference we were also honored to have a special 
guest, Mr. B.J. Surhoff, a professional baseball player who plays left 
field for the Atlanta Braves. Many of us know B.J. for his skill and 
grace on the baseball field. But few of us know that of all the 
challenges and accomplishments he has faced in his life, probably none 
are more near and dear to his heart than his son, Mason, who is 
autistic.
  I have always believed that the true value of any society can be seen 
in how it treats its most vulnerable members. And few are as vulnerable 
and dependent on others as the autistic child.
  A key mission of C.A.R.E. is to expand federal research for autism. 
The caucus will be working hard to build upon a proven record of 
accomplishments in the area of autism research during the previous 
106th Congress.
  During the 106th Congress, we passed landmark legislation which 
established ``Centers of Excellence'' to track cases of autism, 
increased funding at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) from $1.1 
million in Fiscal Year 2000 to $6.7 million in FY 2001 and boosted 
funding at the National Institute of Health (NIH) from $40 million in 
FY 1999 to $45 million in 2000. Another significant increase in autism 
funding is expected at NIH for FY 2001. Congress also held hearings on 
autism, which have led to a better understanding of the disorder.
  Many of my colleagues who I worked with last year on these issues are 
enthusiastic members of C.A.R.E., including, Dr. Dave Weldon of 
Florida, Chairman Dan Burton of Indiana, and Congressman Jim Greenwood 
of Pennsylvania.
  I am extremely proud of the work we did last Congress. The enactment 
of Title I of the Children's Health Act (P.L 106-310) on October 17, 
which incorporated provisions of two bills Jim Greenwood and I 
introduced--HR 274 and HR 997--were a major feat for autism research.
  Title I of this legislation, among other things, authorized the 
creation of 3 ``Centers of Excellence'' in autism epidemiology to 
conduct prevalence and incidence data on autism. In this way, 
scientists can get a better understanding of the scope of CDC and would 
specialize in a specific aspect of autism research. In addition, the 
centers would provide education on the best methods of diagnosis and

[[Page E163]]

treatment of autism to educators and physicians.
  In December, we worked hard to win appropriations of $3 million for 
Fiscal Year 2001 to fund the Centers of Excellence for CDC and begin 
larger-scale autism prevalence and incidence studies.
  CDC expects to issue program announcements and requests for proposals 
in the early summer of 2001 to implement P.L. 106-310. Grants would be 
awarded to successfully completed applications to CDC for the ``Centers 
of Excellence'' sometime in the early fall of 2001.
  Another provision in the Children's Health Act directs the Director 
of the NIH to establish not less than 5 Centers of Excellence to 
conduct basic and clinical research including developmental 
neurobiology, genetics and psychopharmacology.
  The Members of C.A.R.E. will work to further advance the process of 
establishing these Centers of Excellence, which will lead to a better 
understanding of autism and related disorders.
  The 106th Congress also significantly boosted total federal funding 
for autism. We want to take a page out of that playbook and repeat that 
success this year as well. CDC funding for autism increased from $1.1 
million in FY 2000 to $6.7 million in FY 2001. Since FY 1998, when 
autism finding at CDC was a mere $287,000, funding has increased by a 
net total of 2,246 precent! That's 23.5 times what CDC spent just four 
years ago.
  At NIH, Congress won increases in funding for autism from $40 million 
in FY 1999 to $45 million in 2000. Funding for 2001 is also expected to 
increase. Since FY 1998, autism research has been increased by 66 
percent at NIH. Maybe this year we can make yet another installment on 
our plan to double autism research at NIH.
  Finally, at the request of interested Members of Congress and with 
grass roots support, the House has held two separate hearings on the 
problem of autism--one by the Commerce Committee and another by the 
Government Reform and Oversight Committee. Additional hearings are 
likely if Member interest stays strong. I know Chairman Dan Burton at 
the Government Reform and Oversight Committee remains deeply interested 
in further hearings. And Chairman Mike Bilirakis is another strong 
supporter of autism research and oversight.

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