[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                EDUCATION REFORM MUST BE A TOP PRIORITY

  (Mr. WELDON of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Alexis de Toqueville wrote in his 
famous work, ``Democracy in America'' that, ``In America, there cannot 
be enough of knowledge, for all knowledge benefits those who possess it 
and those who do not.''
  Now, Alexis de Toqueville is quoted all the time, but there is a very 
good reason for it. He is often right on the mark, so insightful, and 
so remarkable in his judgment. And de Toqueville's commentary here on 
the value of knowledge, about how education is important to everyone, 
is an example of his wisdom.
  Mr. Speaker, education is an issue that is important to those with 
children and those without. If a generation of American schoolchildren 
is receiving an inferior education, that is a serious problem of 
concern to us all.
  Of course, the reality is that some of our Nation's schools are 
excellent, some undistinguished and some simply a disgrace. But it is 
the general trend toward mediocrity, the systematic dumbing down of 
curricula, textbooks, and standards that I find more alarming.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that millions of parents agree, and that is why 
education reform must be a top priority.

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