[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H1720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            PULLING THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER AMERICAN STUDENTS

  (Mr. BALDACCI asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, as March 15 draws closer, we are reminded 
that Congress has failed to enact the fiscal year 1996 appropriation 
for education. Five months of uncertainty about Federal funding has had 
a devastating impact on schools in Maine and throughout the country.
  I am concerned about the effect of this uncertainty, combined with 
deep spending cuts, on our schools. Schools are having to make plans 
for the next school year without even knowing what resources they will 
have available.
  I visited a number of schools in my district over the February 
recess. I was so impressed with the students I saw who were eager to 
ask questions and to learn. The message I received is that we must 
invest more in our students, to help them grow and develop to their 
fullest potential.
  Unfortunately, some of our majority colleagues seem determined to 
pull the rug out from under America's future by pushing cuts in 
education funding. That's moving in the wrong direction, and I urge my 
colleagues to oppose these efforts.

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