WHILE THE COMBATING AUTISM ACT IS STUCK IN COMMITTEE...

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Hawke wrote: WHILE THE COMBATING AUTISM ACT IS STUCK IN COMMITTEE... WHILE THE COMBATING AUTISM ACT IS STUCK IN COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN BILL YOUNG IS LEADING ACTION AGAINST THE DISEASE By Towne Washington DC October 6, 2006 The Combating Autism Act which passed the US Senate with unanimous consent has been stalled in a house committee in a disagreement over another legislative action. Not willing to stand by while others work out there differences Florida Congressman C. W. Bill Young Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Committee has acted. No one can argue that this committee of Congress has a lot on its plate given the national security concerns that face the nation at this time. Still, with all that going on the Majority with Chairman's leadership has acted to continue research into this terrible disease. Recognizing that the jump in Autism rates is being called an epidemic by some the Chairman has done what he could through the defense budget. Chairman Young explains: "Because of the ongoing interest in federal funding for autism research in the disability community, I hope you will be pleased to know that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense I chair has completed work on our 2007 Defense Appropriations Bill and in conference with the Senate we protected the full $7.5 million we included in the House bill for autism research. Although we included these funds in our House version of the bill last June, the Senate included no funding for this vital research in its version of the bill. Rather than allow this funding to be negotiated down to a lower number in conference, I insisted that we protect the House level. My colleagues and I on the committee believe strongly in this research effort not only because it is important for the many families of service members who have an autistic child, but for the families of all those who have a child who has been diagnosed as autistic. President Bush signed the Defense Appropriations Bill into law on September 29th and the Army is standing by to begin this project because it has done an outstanding job over the years in managing medical research programs initiated by our committee for a number of other medical conditions. These programs have provided significant healthcare benefits to service members and civilians alike over the years that I have chaired the committee. You can be sure that I appreciate knowing of the disability community's support for my efforts in this regard, and that I will continue to keep you up to date as this research effort gets underway." While we know that this is a small beginning it is a beginning and we need to consider that members of the leadership like

Chairman Young recognize the concerns of the disabled and are acting not just talking. For many years Congressman Young has worked quietly to make a difference with out fanfare or much credit. Whether it is funding for Autism or accessible voting he has been there in the room to protect the interests and priorities of the disability community and its leadership. This Disability Relations Group email is sponsored by: This email is sponsored by LogistiCare, Inc. LogistiCare is the nation's leading transportation management solution. Proprietary software, innovative strategies and a proven record of creating budget

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