House Proceeding on Apr 22nd, 2009 :: 2:40:15 to 2:44:15
Total video length: 5 hours 13 minutes Stream Tools: Stream Overview | Edit Time

Note: MetaVid video transcripts may contain inaccuracies, help us build a more perfect archive

Views:160 Duration: 0:04:00 Discussion

Previous speech:

Next speech:

2:40:12 to 2:40:33( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: urge my colleagues to support this measure and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. mr. ehlers: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. ehlers: mr. speaker, i rise

2:40:15 to 2:44:15( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Vernon J. Ehlers

2:40:34 to 2:40:54( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: the best buddies empowerment for people with intellectual disabilities act. this bill would altogether rice funding for best buddies, a nonprofit organization that provides mentors and friends to individuals with intellectual disabilities. to increase their social relationships and other aspects of community life.

2:40:55 to 2:41:15( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: i appreciate mr. tonkos comments about bullying. i have introduced a bill dealing with bullying and i got a letter my constituents but some other constituents outlining a terrible situation where a young man was bullied so

2:41:16 to 2:41:36( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: take it anymore and committed suicide at a very young age. that's a sort of tragedy we have to stop and be buddies is an important way in which that can be stopped. best buddies was founded in 1989 by anthony kennedy shriver as the first national social and recreational program for people with intellectual

2:41:37 to 2:41:58( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: disabilities. since that time, it's grown from one chapter to more than 1,400, excuse me, 1,400 middle school, high school and college campuses all around the country. it also operates programs in six continents around the world, with additional country programs under development. best buddies offers six programs to students with

2:41:59 to 2:42:21( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: special needs. best buddies' citizens pairs adults with intellectual disabilities, with their nondisabled working peers. best buddies' jobs is a supported employment program, targeting high-paying white collar jobs for people with intellectual disabilitie best buddies' high schools pair special education students one-on-one friendships with high school volunteers.

2:42:22 to 2:42:42( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: best buddies' middle schools pair students with middle school volunteers and best buddies' colleges pair students with intellectual disabilities with college student volunteers. and the sixth program, eervingsbuddies is a cutting-edge, online friendship program. according to independent researchers, an estimated seven million individuals, 2% of the

2:42:43 to 2:43:05( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: population of the united states, have intellectual disabilities which impair mayor in adaptive skills. these skills, such as communication, self-care, home living, social -- social skills, community participation and employment are daily living skills needed to live and work in the local community as productive citizens.

2:43:06 to 2:43:27( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: the three major known causes of intellectual disabilities are down sin droldrom, fetal alcohol syndrome and fragile eggs. with early intervention, effective education and appropriate support into adulthood, many individuals with intellectual disabilities are able to lead independent lives in their communities.

2:43:28 to 2:43:48( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: best buddies assists in this effort by building personal relationships between buddies and individuals with intellectual disabilities. the organization currently operates programs in 20 states, including a best buddies' college program at grand valley state university which is in my congressional district, as well as five other universities in michigan.

2:43:49 to 2:44:09( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: however, there's a great need to ensure that their -- there are programses operating in all 50 states. this new authorization would assist the organization in getting dedicated funding through the u.s. department of education inupport of the expansion to all 50 states. i want to thank my good friend, mr. blunt, for his strong support for initiatives that

2:44:10 to 2:44:15( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: assist students with intellectual disabilities and for introducing this