30th Anniversary of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act

30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EDUCATION FOR ALL HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - December 15, 2005)

SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2005

Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of this resolution celebrating the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and reaffirming Congress's support for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

I believe strongly that Congress must provide the funding promised nearly 30 years ago for IDEA and that is why I support legislation that would fully fund this commitment to special education. All American children must have access to a free public education in an environment that is appropriate and supportive.

While this resolution today acknowledges the promise to our states and schools to fund IDEA at 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure, it fails to address how far we are from making that goal a reality. This Republican-controlled Congress funds IDEA at less than 20 percent of its promise. We owe it to our students, their families, and our communities to make full funding a reality. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fully fund our commitment to special education.

Because of the efforts of families, teachers, and school administrators across the country, we are, today, able to make the needs of students with disabilities a priority. It is time that this Congress remembers not only the anniversary, but also the promise and commitment made to families and children. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution and to continue to vote in favor of funding our federal responsibility to special education in order to move us forward in our goal to provide an equal, quality education for all students.

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