[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




BEST BUDDIES EMPOWERMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ACT 
                                OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 31, 2009

  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I am proud to introduce this bill 
supporting Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to the social 
integration of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 
Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is the first 
social and recreational program of its kind in the United States; it 
has already reached hundreds of thousands of Americans, both with and 
without disabilities, a total that is set to reach half a million by 
2010. Best Buddies fosters and supports friendships and mentorships 
between participants from kindergarteners to adult professionals, 
sponsoring more than one thousand volunteer-led chapters at schools and 
workplaces. Not only do volunteers gain valuable leadership training--
they learn first-hand about the important contributions made by their 
fellow-citizens with intellectual disabilities. And participants with 
disabilities learn that they are valuable members of our communities, 
capable of forming a wide range of real and lasting friendships.
  This legislation authorizes a total of $10 million for grants, 
contracts, or cooperative agreements to be distributed to Best Buddies 
by the Department of Education in Fiscal Year 2010, along with such 
sums as may be necessary for each of the four succeeding fiscal years. 
These funds will enable this important organization to reach hundreds 
of thousands more potential volunteers and participants, promoting the 
crucial values of shared participation in community and social 
equality. I want to thank Congressman Blunt for co-sponsoring this 
bill, and I urge my colleagues to pass it as soon as possible.

                          ____________________