FULL FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION -- HON. ANNA G. ESHOO (Extensions of
Remarks - May 03, 2000)
[Page: E624]
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HON. ANNA G. ESHOO
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, May 3, 2000
- Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4055, the IDEA
Full Funding Act, which I'm proud to be a co-sponsor of.
- This bill is a prudent investment in our children that will finally put us
on track to fulfill the Federal government's share of special education. It
sets a schedule to meet the 40% Federal commitment by FY 2010 by authorizing
increases of $2 billion each year to reach the level of funding we should have
been providing all along.
- I'm proud to have supported House Concurrent Resolution 84 last year which
urged the Congress and the President to fully fund special education. But we
can do more and we should, by passing this important bill.
- Everyone agrees that a good education is critical to our children's future
and their success, yet we are not providing the financial resources to make
this possible. It's hard for local school districts to reduce class sizes,
build needed schools, or hire new teachers while still providing for special
education services, especially when the Federal government doesn't pay its
fair share.
- School districts are struggling with how to provide the best education
possible for all children within tightly constrained budgets. California has
over 600,000 students who receive special education and related services at a
reported cost of $3.4 billion. Without Federal assistance, local school
districts are forced to use their general funds to the detriment of other
programs.
- In a speech I gave almost one year ago in support of House Concurrent
Resolution 84, I called upon Congress to fulfill its pledge for full funding
of IDEA. I'm pleased that the leadership of the House heard my call and that
of my colleagues to make good on the Federal government's obligation to the
school districts and our children across our country.
- I thank the House leadership for bringing this important piece of
legislation to the floor and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4055.
END