TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF EDUCATION FOR ALL HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ACT
-- (Extensions of Remarks - September 26, 2000)
[Page: E1595]
---
SPEECH OF
HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Monday, September 25, 2000
- Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my colleagues
in voicing my support for House Concurrent Resolution 399, which recognizes
the federal government's responsibility to educate all handicapped children in
our nation. November 29, 2000 will mark the 25th Anniversary of the Education
for all Handicapped Children's Act passage into law (Public Law 94-142). The
act was later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA).
- The IDEA established the federal government's objective of educating all
of America's children, including those with severe disabilities. In 1986, the
act was amended to create a preschool grant program for children ages 3 to 5,
with disabilities and an early intervention program for infants and toddlers
with disabilities.
- Currently, IDEA programs serve an estimated 200,000 infants and toddlers,
600,000 preschoolers and 5.4 million children ages 6 through 21 nationwide.
The Houston Independent School District provides educational opportunities for
about 21,000 students in the City of Houston through this important
program.
- I would like to recognize the outstanding work that the Council for
Exceptional Children Chapter 100 located in the City of Houston has done. This
organization represents the teachers who teach these special children in the
Houston area. Because of the dedication of administrators, teachers, parents
and the students themselves IDEA can be called an ``American Success
Story.''
- I would urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this important Act.
I would like to also urge the Senate to act on their version of the Full
Funding Bill for IDEA, which is currently awaiting action in the Senate. The
House version of this bill H.R. 4055, IDEA Full Funding Act, was passed in the
House on Representatives on May 3rd of this year.
END