June 24, 2003

The Honorable Judd Gregg
Chair
Committee on Health, Education, Labor
And Pensions
United States Senate
835 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-6300

Dear Mr. Chairman:

We understand that the Committee will soon consider S.1248, legislation to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). I am writing on behalf of the American Bar Association to express our support for S.1248, a bipartisan bill that strengthens and amends IDEA.

The ABA strongly supports key procedural provisions in S.1248. In particular, we support the provisions strengthening availability of voluntary mediation procedures and the continued right of parents to be fully represented by counsel. Legislation passed in April by the House of Representatives would provide for a new mandatory arbitration process and would eviscerate the ability and right of parents to maintain adequate representation by attorneys of their choice. We believe S.1248 offers the opportunity to move forward on thoughtful and well-considered amendments to IDEA that will help continue its historic role of guaranteeing the rights of individuals with disabilities to obtain a public education.

We urge the Committee members to support S.1248 so that it may soon be considered on the Senate floor.

Sincerely,

Robert D. Evans

cc: Members of the Committee

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