[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CHILDREN FIRST IN EDUCATION ACT

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to support 
the Children First in Education Act, a bill which would direct 95 
percent of our Federal education dollars to our local school 
classrooms. For too long we have been satisfied with the mediocre 
performance of sending from 50 to 80 percent of Federal funds to local 
communities. That means over 20 cents, at least, of every education 
dollar intended for local schools gets lost in the bureaucracy. This 
can be improved.
  Mr. Speaker, in the past few weeks, I visited with students, 
teachers, and administrators in schools like McCaskey High School in 
Lancaster City. Here I witnessed a topnotch education atmosphere, yet 
one which could be enhanced by getting Federal funds directly into the 
hands of someone who knows your child's name.
  Mr. Speaker, if this act is passed, out of a total of $15 billion 
federally, approximately $3 billion more would get directly to our 
kids. That is more than $70 per student per year, money which could be 
used for new textbooks, teachers' aides, and learning materials.
  I urge my colleagues to join in sponsoring and cosponsoring the 
Children First in Education Act.

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