Chris Smith: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I will be very brief and close and put the rest of it in the Record.…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I will be very brief and close and put the rest of it in the Record. Autism Speaks says that the Autism CARES Act is the single most important driver of autism research, training, and data collection programs at NIH, HRSA, and CDC. Mr. Speaker, we are joined here by Chris Banks, the CEO of Autism Society. They say it is a pivotable law for individuals with autism and their families to live fully, and it is crucial to understand the immense impact this law has on the daily lives of the autism community. The Association of University Centers on Disabilities is also very, very supportive, and Profound Autism Alliance has pushed hard for this bill and its enhanced focus on individuals with profound autism, which they define as people who require lifetime, 24/7 care. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and the President, we hope, will sign it. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7213: Directs the NIH to include in the scope of research issues encountered by individuals and caregivers as they age, mental health concerns, issues related to aging, as well as co- occurring conditions and needs for supports and services, such as care necessary for physical safety and the prevention of self-injurious behavior.…”