WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS, JR. GOVERNOR OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR STATE CAPITOL AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 April 17, 1980 Mr. Joe Kelly Butler, Chairman State Board of Education 2121 Sage Road, Suite 123 Houston, Texas 77056 Dear As you know, Allof the major pieces of legislation passed by the U. S. Congress in the past decade is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law 93-112. This law not only established a new protected group, but it provides the basis for full development of the potential of handicapped individuals in our country who have often been ignored and even repressed. Such discrimination has occurred in both the public and private sectors. Fortunately, in Texas we are taking positive steps to eliminate these inequities. I have been informed that the Texas Education Agency has made much progress in instituting policies which are in consonance with the provisions of Title V of that Act. With the establishment of the Governor's Task Force for Handicapped Citizens and the agency's participation in it, the opportunity to rectify past wrongs is enhanced. I applaud you for your progress thus far and urge you in your capacity as Chairman of the State Board of Education to stress at all levels of administration in the Texas public school system the need for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the intention of the Board to continue to seek timely and feasible means of assuring every handicapped child the educational opportunities necessary to develop to his or her capacity. Sincerely, 111 iarñ1 ClmeTL., Governor of Texas WPCJr:cpc