On the recordSeptember 20, 2011
Let me first thank Congressman Doyle for yielding me time and certainly thank him for his leadership on this very important issue. Not only has he led on this issue, but he has led on the Energy and Commerce Committee for many years, and I just want to thank him publicly for his friendship and his leadership. Also let me thank Congressman Chris Smith for his bipartisan spirit and his willingness to work on this very important issue. These two men working together have really and truly made a difference. I join the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Pitts, and all of the others, in thanking them for a job well done. Mr. Speaker, later today the House is going to take up this legislation, the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2011. Make no mistake about it, I intend to vote for this very important bill. However, I have come to the floor today to make a very simple but important point that I had intended to raise had this bill been heard in regular order and had it been considered by our committee. Although autism occurs in every racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic group, studies show clearly that, on average, a diagnosis of autism or autism spectrum disorder is actually delayed by almost 2 years for African American and Hispanic children as compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Many of my colleagues may not know this, but it is a clear fact, minority children are much more likely to be misdiagnosed with conduct-related or adjustment disorders.…
