[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          KEEPING OUR PROMISE TO SPECIAL EDUCATION ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB SIMMONS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2001

  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.
  Improving special education is on the minds of millions of Americans. 
Our Governors, school boards, education professionals, and families of 
children with disabilities identify full funding for special education 
as their number-one priority.
  The nearly six-and-a-half million students with disabilities have a 
right to a free and appropriate public education. They deserve to 
participate in the American dream.
  Today this Congress has an opportunity to help these students fulfill 
that dream. I am pleased to introduce the ``Keeping Our Promise to 
Special Education Act of 2001'' to provide for mandatory increases in 
special education funding each of the next ten years. My effort sets 
the course to achieve full funding for Part B of IDEA by fiscal year 
2011.
  The enactment of this bill will give relief to school districts, 
resources to teachers, hope to parents, and opportunities to children 
with disabilities. It will free up State and local funds to be spent on 
such things as better pay for teachers, more professional development, 
richer and more diverse curricula, smaller class sizes, making needed 
renovations to buildings, and addressing other needs of individual 
schools. To me, fully funding IDEA will provide the ultimate in local 
educational flexibility.
  I am proud to say that the Keeping Our Promise to Special Education 
Act has received the support of the National Education Association, the 
Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents and the 
Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Incorporated.
  Mr. Speaker, twenty-six years ago, Congress made a commitment to 
fully fund the Federal Government's share of special education costs. 
If in this era of economic prosperity and unprecedented budgetary 
surpluses we cannot meet this commitment, when will we keep this 
pledge?
  School districts in the Second District of Connecticut and other 
congressional districts are demanding financial relief. Children's 
needs must be met. Parents expect accountability. There is no better 
way to touch a school, help a child, or support a family than to commit 
more spending for special education.
  It is time to fulfill our promise. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor 
the Keeping Our Promise to Special Education Act.

                          ____________________