[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 22 (Thursday, March 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                IMPROVING AMERICA'S SCHOOLS ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                               speech of

                            HON. BILL ORTON

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 1994

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 6) to extend 
     for 6 years the authorizations of appropriations for the 
     programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
     1965, and for certain other purposes:

  Mr. ORTON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Kildee-Goodling en 
bloc amendment to H.R. 6, which contains my amendment. I appreciate the 
efforts of the subcommittee to ensure that minimum grant States, 
specifically my home State of Utah, receive the funding necessary to 
carry out the requirements contained in this bill.
  My amendment will increase the State minimum administrative grant 
level from $325,000 to $375,000. Utah and 14 other States currently 
receive this minimum, which has not increased for the past 5 years.
  During this same time period, the other 35 States all received 
substantial increases of over 17 percent. This is ridiculous. We cannot 
continue to ask more of the States without providing the means for them 
to carry out the requirements contained in Federal legislation.
  We cannot simply neglect to consider the effects of our economy on 
the State. Activities that were possible 5 years ago simply cannot be 
funded now. The State of Utah Office of Education has had to decrease 
the number of employees, restrict travel, and reduce long distance 
phone use. I am told that if the State administrative level does not 
increase, travel and long distance phone calls will be eliminated all 
together.
  How are we to expect the State to oversee 40 school districts, many 
of which are located hundreds of miles from Salt Lake City, without 
long distance phone calls or travel?
  H.R. 6 requires States to provide intensive technical assistance to 
schools and districts that fall behind. It requires an intensive effort 
to create district and State plans that coincide. And it holds the 
State responsible for ensuring that all of the requirements of this 
bill are carried out. How can this take place without the personnel and 
funding necessary to visit each district?
  Although I understand the efforts of the House to reduce spending 
wherever possible, we must provide a minimum grant that is sufficient 
to carry out the requirements of our legislation. For this reason, I 
urge you to support my amendment that is part of the en bloc amendment.