[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 97 (Wednesday, June 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          SUPPORTING IMPACT AID

                                 ______


                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 1995
  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise the 
National Security Committee for adopting the Edwards-Bateman amendment 
to preserve partial funding for the Impact Aid program.
  Impact Aid provides essential funding for school districts which lack 
revenue because a portion of their student body lives on Federal land 
and does not pay local school taxes.
  The work of the committee has reaffirmed the Federal Government's 
pledge to provide over 5,000 children in Rhode Island with a sound 
elementary and secondary education. Without Impact Aid the Federal 
Government would abandon this essential commitment to all the children 
in these districts.
  These children are of course very special to our Nation. They are the 
sons and daughters of the people who protect our country by serving in 
the military.
  Impact Aid is clearly about our military readiness not just for today 
but for our future.
  Funding Impact Aid today ensures that our military personnel are 
prepared to serve because they do not carry with them the worry that 
their children are not receiving a proper education
  Moreover, Impact Aid today means supporting America's leaders 
tomorrow. Education and training will develop skills, and skills mean 
high quality jobs for Americans. Without the program over 17 million 
children nationwide would be left unprepared and undefended in the 
harsh climate of the new global economy. This is a cost America simply 
cannot bear.
  Again, I thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for funding 
Impact Aid and supporting the men, women, and children of the U.S. 
armed services.


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