[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E258-E259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPPORT FOR THE EDUCATE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 5, 2007

  Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
support the EDUCATE Act that Congressman Van Hollen introduced today on 
behalf of myself and Congressman Mike Ferguson. I believe that this 
bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation that will be 
introduced in this chamber this year because it speaks to the Federal 
Government keeping a promise to children.
  When Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
of 1975, we made a commitment to our country's special education 
students. By providing only half of the promised funding in recent 
years, the Federal Government has passed on another unfunded mandate to 
States and local school districts and failed to honor our promise that 
students with special education needs deserve the best education 
possible.
  Despite the fact that current law requires the Federal Government to 
match State IDEA costs at 40 percent, the President's budget in recent 
years has included funding for less than half of the Federal 
Government's IDEA obligation. Budgeting shortfalls at the federal level 
and the rising cost of special education have forced local school 
districts to assume a larger percentage of the funding burden. As a 
result, they have had to seek out alternative funding sources such as 
higher taxes or diverting monies from other educational initiatives in 
order to comply with IDEA requirements.
  Now I know that many of my colleagues have been angered with the 
funding that IDEA has received in the past few years, and a few of them 
have introduced their own legislation to correct this funding 
shortfall. But I believe that the EDUCATE Act is the most fiscally 
responsible funding solution that has been offered. In the current 
fiscal climate and with the PAYGO requirements that have been put in 
place, this legislation offers the most responsible means of achieving 
our goals. It will do no good if we succeed in providing these children 
with a quality education and then leave them a country in financial 
ruin.

[[Page E259]]

  I am proud to have been involved in the crafting of this legislation 
and I hope that my colleagues will support it.

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