[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 120 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SCHOOL CHOICE AND EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS WILL GIVE STUDENTS HOPE

  (Mr. ADERHOLT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, for many of our country's poorest 
children, education is their one ticket out of poverty. In fact, even 
children in truly horrible schools manage to make it out of their 
destitution by relentless determination and plain old hard work.
  But, Mr. Speaker, children should not have to pass through metal 
detectors on their way through the schoolhouse door. If kids are more 
worried about becoming victims of violence than about getting an ``A'' 
on the next exam, how can we expect them to perform their best?
  Mr. Speaker, in the face of school violence and disorderly 
classrooms, to whom can the kids turn? Why, their parents, of course. 
But what if their parents lack the resources to pull them out of 
horrible schools?
  Mr. Speaker, while the special interests join together in saying too 
bad or offer up worthless promises, conservatives offer these kids hope 
in the form of school choice and education savings accounts.
  Mr. Speaker, hope is a commodity in short supply in many of our 
Nation's poorest communities. School choice and education savings 
accounts give kids and their parents a reason to hope.

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