[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 23 (Monday, March 7, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                IMPROVING AMERICA'S SCHOOLS ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                               speech of

                            HON. DICK SWETT

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 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. SWETT. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the small 
State title I funding provisions of Mr. Kildee's en bloc amendment to 
H.R. 6, and I offer my sincere thanks to Chairman Ford, Mr. Kildee, and 
Mr. Goodling for their help in reaching a compromise on this issue. 
This provision is about equity. Without it, the five smallest States in 
this country would suffer great losses in crucial title I, funding. 
While most States receive far more than one-quarter of 1 percent under 
title I, New Hampshire, Delaware, Vermont, Alaska, and Wyoming do not 
receive even close to one-quarter of 1 percent to operate the largest 
Federal program for elementary and secondary education.
  This provision will not have a noticeable effect on any of the other 
States--approximately .11 percent or $5.8 million of the $7 billion 
program--but will mean a great deal to the disadvantaged students in 
each of these smaller States. This provision will make it possible for 
these States to continue to offer effective programs for their title I 
children.
  In many States, 1990 census numbers do not accurately reflect the 
number of disadvantaged students that need to be served under title I. 
Because of these census figures, New Hampshire and many other States 
stand to lose title I dollars in the next fiscal year, with further and 
greater losses in subsequent years. These losses will be completely 
devastating to title I programs in such States.
  The small States provisions of the en bloc amendment will not impact 
the funding reduction these States will suffer next year, but it will 
improve their situation in subsequent years. Title I is designed to 
help economically and scholastically disadvantaged students in poor 
areas. This modest provision maintains the critical mass of funds 
necessary if title I is to make a difference in our States. Without it, 
small States will be unable to carry out the intent of title I 
programs. This change to H.R. 6 will not equitably distribute moneys to 
the areas in these small States that so desperately need it.
  Mr. Speaker, every student deserves an equal opportunity to learn. I 
commend Mr. Kildee, Mr. Goodling, and Chairman Ford for helping to 
ensure an equal opportunity to learn for the children in my State. It 
was a pleasure working with them on this provision, and I thank them 
for their support.

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