Following is text of correspondence received from Senator John Warner,
senior U.S. Senator from Virginia, in reply to my most recent letter
to him.
February 11, 1997
Dear Mr. Moylan:
Thank you for taking the time to let me know your views concerning
S.216, legislation to reauthorize the Individuals With Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA).  Unfortunately, previous legislation was left
unfinished at the end of the 104th Congress.
As a new member of the Senate Committee to Labor and Human Resources,
I am pleased that S.216 was the topic of our first hearing held on
January 29, 1997.  Testimony was presented by higher education chief
executives, student financial aid administrators, parents of students
benefitting from IDEA, and students themselves.
You may also be pleased to know that S.1, the Safe and Affordable
Schools Act of 1997, proposes a seven year funding stream of $10
billion to finally achieve the long promised 40 percent federal
funding level for IDEA.  It is my hope that with this increased
funding, the education community will finally be able to access the
tools it needs to fully accommodate the special needs of students with
disabilities.
I deeply appreciate your informative and concerned viewpoints.  You
may be certain I will keep them in mind when the legislation comes
before the Labor and Human Resources Committee and the full Senate.
You were most kind to share your views with me.  I always appreciate
having the benefit of your opinions.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely,
//s// John Warner
++++++++++++++++
If you are interested in seeing the federal government fund IDEA to
the tune of $10 BILLION (long promised but as yet unseen) write, fax or
e-mail your representatives in both Houses of Congress expressing your
views and opinions.  Congress critters also like to hear how some
action they have taken has benefitted their constituents in the past
and may do so in the future, it makes them more amenable to taking
similar action again.
... "Eternal vigilance is the price of democracy."  Thomas Jefferson
--- PPoint 2.02
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