[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H2704-H2705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE WEEK THAT WAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, this indeed was a week that was, but I 
hope this is no indication of what our future may be. This is the week 
where we cut $3.5 billion from education funds. Yes, this is the week 
where we denied aliens who are here on the soil access to free 
education. Yes, this is the week where we also gave, I think, a very 
poor example that we have to have assault weapons in order to feel 
protected in the sanctity of our home.
  Mr. Speaker, this was the week that was. But I hope and pray this is 
no indication about the future that is to come.
  Mr. Speaker, our Nation deserves a future that is worthy of its past.
  In the past, we led the world in education. Today, we trail many 
nations in Europe and Asia.
  In the past, we adequately invested in education, spending 10 percent 
of our funds. Today, we spend roughly 1 percent, and worse, our 
colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to cut another 25 
percent of those funds.
  It should, therefore, not surprise us, Mr. Speaker, that Japan, which 
now leads America in education, also leads America in the sale of many 
products and services.
  It should not surprise us that we have a balance of trade deficit 
with Japan.
  Education and our economic position are tied together.
  We all know the old adage, ``If you build a better mousetrap, the 
world will beat a path to your door.''
  We can not build better mousetraps without a solid foundation of 
education in this country.
  We cannot compete globally, without education at home.
  Yet, Members of this House have voted to further cripple education by 
making the largest cuts in America's history, with overall funding of 
the Department of Education likely to be reduced by 25 percent.
  These cuts will affect basic reading, writing and math skills--skills 
that shape the workers and managers of tomorrow.
  These cuts will mean fewer computers in the classroom, and worse, 
fewer teachers to educate and train our future work force.
  These cuts could mean that some 45,000 teachers will get layoff 
notices in April, making classrooms more crowded and teaching more 
difficult.
  We must restore these cuts, we must invest in education to provide 
greater educational opportunities for America's children, America's 
families and America's workers--so that they will be ready to meet the 
challenges of the changing global economy.
  Japan and China recognize the value of education.
  That is why they are using their resources and sending more and more 
of their young people to the United States for an education.

[[Page H2705]]

  They know now what we knew before, that education is the key to the 
future. But, too many of our colleagues have closed their eyes to the 
past.
  Instead of upholding our brilliant past, they want to push us deeper 
into a dark future.
  But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
  The Senate by a wide margin, Democrats and Republicans, have voted to 
restore education cuts.
  The House should join the Senate.
  In addition, the President has submitted a budget, indeed a balanced 
budget.
  The President's budget continues investments in education.
  While some would cut the education budget by 20 percent, the 
President proposes to increase the budget by 20 percent over its 1993 
level.
  While some would cut the education budget over 7 years, the President 
invests $61 billion more in that budget.
  The President would invest $1 billion more in title I education funds 
for basic and advanced skills assistance.
  The President's budget increases Pell Grants, Safe and Drug Free 
School Funds, Charter Schools, the School to Work Program and Goals 
2000.
  The President's budget invests $2 billion in Technology Literacy 
Challenge--bringing to the fingertips of every child in America access 
to computer training and learning.
  And, the President's budget provides a $10,000 tuition tax deduction 
to help working families afford college.
  I urge my colleagues to join the Senate and join the President.
  Now is not the time to give up on our children.
  America's future should be as bright as its past.

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