[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EDUCATION STANDARDS

  (Mr. ETHERIDGE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, nothing is more important to the future 
of our American families, our communities, and our economy than the 
success of our public schools. In North Carolina, we have proven that 
over the last 8 years that if you want to make great strides in public 
education, you can do it through innovation, high standards, and good 
old-fashioned hard work.
  I rise today to urge this Congress to take aggressive action to 
support excellence in our public schools. North Carolina has proven 
that by challenging our people to become the best, we bring out their 
best efforts. This Congress must take the same approach by providing 
the necessary tools to equip our young people to provide for quality 
education for every child in every point and every place in America for 
those that are willing to work.
  Mr. Speaker, I will soon introduce legislation to support voluntary 
standards in our States to provide for higher standards. We must 
measure our progress and chart our future to a better America. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in the support of this legislation.

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