[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2588]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA'S 50TH YEAR CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2015

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention 
to the Autism Society of America's 50th Year Celebration and 
commemorate the organization on five decades of extraordinary service 
and effective advocacy on behalf of the autism community.
  In 1964, concerned parents of children with autism--including Ruth 
Sullivan, Dr. Bernie Rimand and Dan Torisky--joined together to form 
what is now called the Autism Society of America. Continuing to 
implement the vision of its founders, the Society today is a grassroots 
organization that ensures parents have quality options and the supports 
necessary for their child to live and prosper in our communities.
  The Autism Society of America and its 104 local and state affiliates 
work towards one goal: to help each individual with autism maximize his 
or her quality of life.
  Having worked with the Society's remarkable president Scott Badesch--
a tenacious and wise leader--I can attest to the dedication and 
commitment of the organization's leadership, and its staff and 
volunteers. Each person who comes to the Autism Society gains the 
knowledge that accompanies 50 years of experience to help ensure a life 
of dignity, respect and opportunity.
  The organization has played a critical role in the enactment of many 
landmark pieces of legislation for individuals with disabilities--
including the three laws I have written that provide federal resources 
for research, services and supports for children and adults with 
autism.
  Today, the Society's mission and work has never been more important 
or more timely. We as a nation are in the midst of a huge yet largely 
invisible crisis that begs serious focus and durable remedies.
  I am referring to the aging out crisis.
  Every year, 50,000 young people on the autism spectrum matriculate 
into adulthood and are in the process of losing essential services. 
Individuals with autism in the aging out generation and their parents 
find themselves entering into a system unprepared to meet their needs, 
and one that disincentivizes the opportunity and independence the 
Society has worked to achieve.
  With the strong support and hard work of the Society, last Congress, 
we enacted my Autism CARES Act which calls for an agency report that 
lays the foundation for better addressing the aging out crisis.
  The Society provided extremely valuable input into my legislation, 
now P.L. 113-157, which authorizes $1.3 billion over five years to 
continue the critical pipeline of federal research dollars, and was the 
first piece of enacted legislation to address aging out. The Autism 
CARES Act tasked multiple Federal agencies to provide a comprehensive 
study on the needs of autistic young adults and transitioning youth and 
how they can better shape policies and programs to meet these needs.
  This important law--like so many critical policy changes over the 
past 50 years--would not have been possible without the Autism Society 
of America.
  I am so proud of and deeply grateful for the work of all of the 
volunteers and staff of the Autism Society of America and their 
affiliates. Thank you for your hard work and daily commitment to 
improving the lives of individuals with autism.

                          ____________________