Raising Down Syndrome Awareness

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this weekend I will be joining countless advocates in Centre County, Pennsylvania, for a Buddy Walk hosted by the National Down Syndrome Society. These walks have been held across the Nation for the past 20 years, raising awareness and promoting self-advocacy for those living with Down Syndrome. In spite of some extra challenges, many people with Down Syndrome attend school, work, and contribute to society in a wide variety of ways.

In order to provide those living with Down Syndrome and other disabilities the best start possible, I was happy to cosponsor, along with a majority of my colleagues in the House, the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act, which was signed into law last year.

This law allows people with disabilities and their families to create a flexible account to help save for medical and dental care, education, community-based support, employment training, housing, and transportation.

In my home State of Pennsylvania, State legislation that will allow deductions of account contributions from State taxable income has been introduced in the Commonwealth's house and senate. I urge their passage to complete the work the Federal Government has started.

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