College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005

COLLEGE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - March 29, 2006)

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Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Chairman, I would like to, before I really begin my remarks, thank the gentleman, the chairman of the committee and his staff who have been very helpful not only in working with me on this amendment but being supportive of it. I would like to thank the gentleman from California.

Madam Chairman, I rise today to offer my amendment that would grant students with intellectual disabilities access to Federal work study funds for enrollment in comprehensive post-secondary educational programs. The reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, known as IDEA, in 2004 helped ensure that students with intellectual disabilities are provided every resource necessary to address their elementary through high school education goals.

However, education for people with disabilities should not end in high school, which is why this amendment is so important. My amendment provides these young adults with an opportunity to participate in post-secondary education programs along with their peers.

Madam Chairman, approximately 94 universities and colleges currently offer programs for students with intellectual disabilities, enabling these students to lead productive and independent lives. For example, Laura Lee, a student with Downs Syndrome, is a junior at George Mason University's LIFE program, or known as the Learning into the Future Environments program. She is one of the first students in this innovative post-secondary program for young adults with intellectual disabilities, providing these students with not only the experience of college life in a supportive environment, but also with important life and employment skills. Laura is taking courses in computers, banking, employment skills and other subjects that will help her to become as self-sufficient as possible and to use her future education for employment endeavors.

I am very proud of Laura's success in the LIFE program at George Mason University. While Laura is fortunate enough to have the financial resources to enroll in this program, many students with intellectual disabilities do not. These students are unable to assess Federal financial aid because these programs typically do not lead to a post-secondary degree, or the student may not have a traditional high school diploma. This amendment recognizes the unique nature of these programs and removes the barriers in current law from providing work study funds to each of these students.

My amendment would allow these students to assess work study funds without creating a new program and, therefore, adding no additional cost to the government.

This amendment provides flexibility to institutions, granting them the power to decide if it is appropriate to award work study funds to students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in comprehensive programs on their campus.

Madam Chairman, I have seen firsthand how IDEA has benefited my own son, Alex, who is a student at Lakewood Elementary School in Dallas, Texas. Alex, who is 12 years old, has Downs Syndrome, and he has made significant academic progress and has been provided with many of the same educational opportunities as his peers as a result of IDEA. I know that IDEA will serve as an incredible opportunity for Alex throughout his K-12 education.

However, I also realize that IDEA will not be there to serve his needs after high school. Therefore, I am very pleased to stand here today in recognition of those colleges and universities who are filling the post-IDEA void for so many young Americans. I am proud to offer this amendment that will provide many young adults with intellectual disabilities the ability to access the vital postsecondary programs that lead to a very fulfilling life.

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon), the chairman of the committee.

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Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

In addition to the chairman's remarks, I would like to add, if I could, that from time to time, my son, Alex, is on the floor of the House of Representatives, and I believe that Alex is a fine representation, as well as the Members of this body, who take time to recognize the individual and special talents that not only Alex possesses as a result of him being a young adult with Downs Syndrome, but also his love that he extends to people. And this body has always gone out of their way to express to Alex and make him feel like he was a part of this body also.

And I would thank the gentleman, both the gentlemen from California, not only for their agreement with this bill today, but also I think it extends the knowledge that this body has with the capacity to understand that thousands of other families that have their own Alex, that they, if their children have the ability to do something when they get out of high school, that there would be a program like this. And so I would like to thank the ranking member and the chairman of our committee.

Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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