[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 7441-7442]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAINE ADMINISTRATORS OF 
                SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2001

  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 25th 
Anniversary of the Maine Administrators of Services for Children with 
Disabilities, or MADSEC. MADSEC has been a leader in the provision of 
educational and support services to children with disabilities in Maine 
since 1976. In that time, Maine has developed a model program which 
benefits the children of my state in many ways.
  Maine was unique among several states in the development of special 
education services. From its earliest days, MADSEC has maintained an 
open and positive working relationship with the Maine Department of 
Education's Special Services Division. By collaborating with the state 
agency, MADSEC has been able to help effectively address concerns, 
issues, and complaints in a productive manner which eventually helps 
all parties involved find a reasonable outcome.
  In addition to its problem-solving function, MADSEC has been a joint-
sponsor of several successful Professional Development training 
opportunities for administrators, teachers, and support staff. The 
``Select Seminars'' offered by MADSEC and the Special Services Division 
are intensive work sessions which focus professional attention and 
problem-solving skills on some of the most troublesome issues in the 
special education arena.
  MADSEC also publishes a professional journal for special education 
administrators and staff which has provided consistent information and 
commentary on many issues. Members can access a website for instant 
information, professional resources, and the latest news in the field.
  On a national level, MADSEC sponsors the annual Maine Director's 
Academy, a professional development and policy study event for special 
education administrators from across the country. Special educators 
from more than 30 states and Canadian Provinces have attended in the 
Academy's 20-year history, and the Academy has been recognized by 
several national professional organizations.

[[Page 7442]]

  I am proud to bring the anniversary of this important organization to 
the attention of Congress here today. The children of Maine and the 
nation have benefitted greatly from the leadership provided by MADSEC 
over the last 25 years. I look forward to continuing advances in 
special education administration and technology that groups such as 
MADSEC will facilitate. Children with disabilities must not be 
forgotten or allowed to fall behind. For the last 25 years, members of 
the Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities 
have worked to ensure such children get every chance they can to 
succeed. I thank them for a quarter-century of fine work, and look 
forward to their next 25 years.

                          ____________________