[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 116 (Friday, September 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 HIGHER EDUCATION MADE MORE AFFORDABLE

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 5, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, with global technology and competition what 
it is today, a quality education is more important than ever. Middle-
class families work hard day-in-and-day-out in order to save enough 
money to afford college for their children. They should not be punished 
by a perverse Washington tax system that demands more and more money 
from families. They should be allowed to keep more of their money. 
After all, it is their money.
  Fortunately, furthering one's education after high school has just 
been made more affordable and accessible with the enactment of the 
Taxpayer Relief Act. Various education tax incentives, such as the 
$1,500 HOPE tax credit and the Lifetime Learning credit, will bring the 
dream of a college education more within reach than ever before.
  But while it is important to make higher education more accessible, 
we must also ensure that future college students are prepared to enter 
the halls of higher learning. We need to focus on providing the best 
possible education system at the elementary and secondary levels. Money 
should go directly into the classroom and be spent wisely on classroom 
instruction, not wasted on education bureaucracy.
  As a father, grandfather, and former member of the Carlsbad, 
California School Board, I take a personal interest in providing 
quality education for our children. Parents and local school boards 
know best what their children's educational needs are--not bureaucrats 
in Washington. Families should not only have the opportunity to choose 
the educational path that is best-suited for their kids' needs, but 
education should be affordable and accessible for all. The education 
tax incentives in the Taxpayer Relief Act do exactly that.

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