Julia Tyler and Dance Happy

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share the success of a young constituent from my district whose story should make us all proud.

Julia Tyler is a 24-year-old young woman with Down syndrome. Several years ago with the support of her parents, her school district, and a job coach, Julia was able to land a job at a local boutique in preparation for her transition to the working world after graduation from high school. With the help of her job coach, she began designing totes, pillows, and table runners. She learned how to silkscreen geometric designs onto this merchandise so she could then sell them at the boutique where she worked and at local craft fairs. The boutique owner took notice of Julia's creativity and determination, and together they cofounded a new company, Dance Happy, to market Julia's creations.

In 2019, a subsidiary of American Eagle began selling Julia's totes online for the holiday season. They quickly sold out, and a bigger order has been placed for 2020.

I am so pleased to celebrate the success of Julia, Dance Happy, her job coach, and her business partner at Compendium Boutique. Together they provide an important reminder of what can happen when we look beyond a person's disability and work together to provide opportunities for all. I am also pleased to have a successful new business in Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District, a business that started in Swarthmore and is now housed in Aston, Pennsylvania.

Their success is also a great example of how the IDEA and well- funded, effective special education can prepare students with disabilities for employment in our communities.

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