[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to give recognition to Best 
Buddies International, an organization that assists individuals with 
developmental and intellectual disabilities to become thriving members 
of our society. Founded in 1989, Best Buddies International has 
positively improved the lives of nearly 900,000 individuals.
  I am particularly proud of the success of this organization in my 
home State of Florida, where there are programs like Best Buddies 
Colleges in which schools like my alma mater of Florida International 
University and the University of Miami participate.
  This program nurtures one-to-one friendships between college students 
and adults with IDD so that they can be involved in campus life beyond 
the classroom.
  Through this and other worthwhile programs, participants create a 
bond that can truly last a lifetime while becoming inspirational 
leaders and living a more independent life.
  I would like to extend my best wishes to Best Buddies International 
as it continues on this noble endeavor and encourages all to get 
involved and support people with special needs and their families.

                          ____________________