[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 20 (Monday, May 19, 1997)]
[Page 706]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on House Passage of the Individuals With Disabilities 
Education Act Amendments of 1997

May 13, 1997

    I am pleased that the House today took a major step toward ensuring 
high quality educational opportunities for all students with 
disabilities by voting to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act (IDEA). I am hopeful that the Senate will do the same 
shortly.
    Over the last 20 years, the IDEA has made it possible for young 
people with disabilities to reach their full potential. This legislation 
strengthens and reaffirms our commitment to these children and their 
parents, and I look forward to signing it into law.
    This legislation is the result of a bipartisan process that involved 
hard work not only by both Democrats and Republicans in the Congress but 
also by the Department of Education and representatives of the education 
and disability communities. I hope that we can continue in this 
bipartisan spirit and move forward on the rest of our agenda to improve 
education and prepare America for the 21st century.