[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 69 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 H.R. 1350--IMPROVING EDUCATION RESULTS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES 
                              ACT OF 2003

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 9, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to 
H.R. 1350. When Congress made the leap to dramatically change the way 
the nation treats the education of disabled students in 1975 when it 
created IDEA, it made a commitment to providing a free, quality 
education to children who previously had been neglected by the system. 
This commitment to fund 40 percent of the excess cost of education for 
children with disabilities was unprecedented. Six million children who 
had once been forced to seek private education or forego education 
altogether were given the opportunity that so many children take for 
granted. At least, that was the idea.
  Unfortunately, this body has continued to neglect these children by 
refusing to fully fund the program. Today we had the opportunity to 
show these children, their parents, and their educators how serious we 
are about their education--but passing H.R. 1350 will be a failure to 
do that. Not only does the bill fail to fund IDEA above the 18 percent 
we currently give to the 40 percent Congress promised, but it actually 
sets back the education of children with disabilities. In fact, this 
bill weakens the civil rights protections that were initially 
established with IDEA, undermines parental involvement and even creates 
the potential for disabled students to be punished for actions related 
to their disabilities. When the Majority promises to leave no child 
behind, does it make an exception for children with disabilities?
  Many groups, including the PTA, the National Mental Health 
Association, and the Children's Defense Fund oppose this bill because 
it falls short of improving education for children with disabilities. 
It has become clear that this bill favors school administrators--not 
children, parents, and the teachers who work so hard to give disabled 
children an equitable education.
  I strongly support a good public education for all children and I 
believe that every child is entitled to the same. Those who passed IDEA 
in 1975 shared that view, and they set a goal to give students with 
disabilities the treatment and education they deserve. Unfortunately, 
this bill fails to live up to what the original authors of IDEA 
intended, and I must vote against it. However, I am committed to 
special education and I will continue to work to pass a bill that 
accomplishes the intended goals set out under the original Act.

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