[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        UNWISE CUTS IN EDUCATION

                                 ______


                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 14, 1995
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, from time to time I will 
share with my colleagues evidence from people who are at work in 
Massachusetts of the damage that is being done to our social fabric by 
the proposed cuts that the Republican Party is putting forward. By 
increasing military spending, keeping other spending such as the manned 
space station sacrosanct, and advocating large tax cuts, many of which 
will go to wealthy people, the Republicans are forcing unduly deep cuts 
in many important programs that help our society attain the degree of 
civility that is essential. Recently, the commissioner of education in 
Massachusetts wrote to me and my Massachusetts congressional colleagues 
to talk about how seriously damaged programs in Massachusetts will be 
by cuts in the education area. I ask that Commissioner Antonucci's 
letter in which he stresses ``the important connection between 
education and the nation's economic competitiveness and the vital role 
of federal investment in education'' be printed here as one more 
argument against the cuts the Republican Party is now launched upon.
         The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of 
           Education,
                                    Malden, MA, February 28, 1995.
     The Massachusetts Congressional
       Delegation,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Members of the Massachusetts Delegation: As the 
     Appropriations Committee proceeds to vote on March 2 on the 
     rescission package that would cut $1.7 billion from Education 
     programs, I have implored them to please consider the 
     important connection between education and the nation's 
     economic competitiveness and the vital role of federal 
     investment in education.
       For Massachusetts, a leader in education innovation and 
     reform, the proposed cuts would shatter our best investment. 
     For example, the Goals 2000 initiative so closely tied to 
     each state's reform efforts is scheduled to be cut by $142 
     million. Programs such as School To Work and Tech Prep have 
     been lauded as providing high-skilled preparation to 7000 
     students each year in the work place and the community 
     colleges--the only entry for these particular students for 
     higher wage jobs.
       The Safe and Drug-Free program has served each one of our 
     cities and towns since 1986. Through these drug and alcohol 
     abuse programs, we have seen a significant drop in alcohol 
     abuse as reported by students since 1990.
       The loss of $2,000,000 in Adult Education funding has very 
     serious consequences to our most vulnerable population. These 
     monies provide workplace literacy to 1200 adult students, and 
     literacy training to 1500 homeless adult students. Our 
     business community has been so impressed with our success, 
     that they match the federal grant with $1,800,000 each year.
       We have written each member of the Appropriations 
     Committee. We need their vote to reflect a level of funding 
     that ensures every student's educational success.
           Sincerely,
                                              Robert V. Antonucci,
                                        Commissioner of Education.
     

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