[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 15 (Monday, February 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E170-E171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A COMMITMENT TO ALL AMERICANS

                                 ______


                         HON. RONALD D. COLEMAN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 1, 1996

  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice the concerns of my 
constituents of El Paso, TX. I voted today for the current continuing 
resolution to avert a third Government shutdown. I also concur that the 
shutdown would have had disastrous ramifications, most of all for our 
Social Security beneficiaries, veterans, Federal employees and our 
students.
  The ongoing chaotic budgetary clashes have paralyzed parts of the 
Government and alienated many Americans. Partial shutdowns that started 
in mid-November and December closed many Federal operations for 27 days 
and cost taxpayers $1.4 billion. My constituents should not have to 
suffer nefarious consequences because of Republican ineptness at 
passing necessary appropriations bills. Many El Pasoans were furloughed 
and received truncated paychecks. My constituents are fed up with 
Republican maneuvers and several Federal employees publicly protested 
against Newt Gingrich and the Republicans' extreme agenda. These hard 
working citizens should not be treated as pawns by the Republican 
majority in order to score political points.
  I voted for the measure to restore funding for many social, health 
and educational programs which many citizens depend on. I do, however, 
have grave concerns regarding the Republicans' decision to curb 
education funding for programs such as safe and drug free schools and 
bilingual education.
  I am proud to represent El Paso, TX, whose 600,000 citizens and 
residents have successfully integrated bilingualism and biculturalism 
into their education system, health care facilities, and economy. 
Bilingual education programs are essential in my district and many 
others throughout the country to integrate new immigrants and their 
children into our society successfully. Because much of the rhetoric 
surrounding the subject of immigrants has become increasingly harsh, 
these programs are easy targets for budget cuts. However, any decrease 
in funding for bilingual and immigrant education would be very poorly 
advised. 

[[Page E171]]
Our immigrant population is growing and the vast majority of these 
immigrants are from Asia and Latin America. If we can capitalize upon 
their linguistic abilities, we can ensure that young immigrants and the 
children of immigrants will be a valuable asset to our national 
competitiveness in the global economy.
  Moreover, if we fail to adequately fund bilingual and immigrant 
education programs, we will set many children up for failure and lose 
the benefits of their valuable linguistic skills. In the long run, the 
result will be that many of our young immigrants and their children 
will be unable to contribute fully to the future of this Nation. I do 
not believe neglecting the needs of citizens that speak English as a 
second language is sound policy.
  Any decrease in funding for bilingual education programs will promote 
frustration, segregation, and discrimination between those who have 
mastered the English language and those who have been denied the 
opportunity to do so.
  Further, the safe and drug free schools have proven to be effective 
in informing our youth of the severe consequences of participating in 
this illicit activity. Although there has been a shift in favor of 
punishment rather than prevention in dealing with crime, this approach 
may not be the best solution for young people. The sad fact is that 
between 1985 and 1993, juvenile crime rose 58 percent. Clearly, an 
interventionist response that reaches out to our Nations' youth is 
needed. Funds for crime and drug prevention programs in schools help to 
meet this need. Furthermore, these funds ensure that important State 
and local educational resources will not have to be increasingly 
diverted from mainstream educational initiatives in order to address 
the problems of crime and drugs. In short, the program not only 
provides important preventative initiatives, but indirectly helps to 
ensure that all students get the resources they deserve for education, 
and that they are educated in a safe and focused environment.
  These particular program address some of the most pressing needs of 
my district and I believe these programs simply cannot afford to be 
cut.
  I am pleased by the bipartisan effort to stave off another Government 
shutdown. Moreover, I encourage my colleagues to fulfill their 
commitment to the American people and continue to serve the interest of 
the American people in protecting essential social and educational 
programs.

                          ____________________