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Maple River Education Coalition PAC
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Chaska, MN  55318 
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July 8, 2002

Hearing on Child Mental Health Legislation Scheduled

On July 1st, we wrote:

"Presidential Commission - A presidential commission is due to report their findings and suggestions regarding IDEA in July. Congressional staff will draft a bill in August and it will likely be debated in the U.S. House of Representatives in September."

The Presidential Commission has now released their findings and suggestions. As a result, a hearing on "Reforming the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: (IDEA) is scheduled. Recommendations from the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education"

Witness scheduled to appear:

The Honorable Terry Branstad, Chairman
President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education

U.S. House of Representatives
The Full Committee on Education and the Workforce will meet
Wednesday, July 10th
10:30 a.m. in room 2175 Rayburn House Office Building

The most practical reform for IDEA is to support full funding of IDEA, but put a large disincentive in the law to discourage the psychiatric labeling and drugging of children. (See our updates, Part 2.)

This hearing precedes the drafting of IDEA reform legislation. New legislation will not be drafted before the August break, and, therefore, not before September. It is not at all certain that any legislation will be fully passed before the end of this year.

Action --

It is critical that individuals comment on the bill both personally and as organizations to provide a foundation of needed balance and opposition to a bill that does nothing to prevent more children being labeled and drugged next year. It is not necessary to have your comments in by the date of the hearing. It is important for the public to be part of the process of shaping this legislation.

If you or your group are qualified to submit comments, or if you can encourage someone who is qualified, The U.S. House of Representatives Committee in Education and the Workforce has a website to submit comments

It is important to comment on the form as well as to chairman John Boehner, Representative Tom Tancredo and your own U.S. Representative and Senator.

Chairman Boehner
Committee on Education and the Workforce
U. S. House of Representatives
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4527
john.boehner@mail.house.gov

Representative Tancredo
U. S. House of Representatives
418 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2701
Tel: (202) 225-7882
Fax: (202) 226-4623
tom.tancredo@mail.house.gov

Find your own U.S. Representative and Senators

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