[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10761-S10762]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               TERRORISM

  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I would like to speak to an issue which 
confronts us nationally and which we, as a nation, seem to be ducking. 
I am talking about terrorism. I am talking about the need for this 
country to stand up and be counted in its fight against international 
terrorism whenever and wherever it occurs.
  Today, Americans are threatened by two very distinct but serious 
kinds of terrorism. The first is international terrorism.
  Mr. President, I am proud of my efforts that helped to pass the Iran-
Libya Sanctions Act, a law designed to stop two renegade nations from 
having the means necessary to finance international terrorism--by 
punishing those companies who do business with them. The French oil 
company, Total, is trying to test our resolve. Total has struck a 
lucrative oil deal with Iran. This company is thumbing its nose at the 
United States. I believe it is incumbent upon us to remain strong in 
the face of these efforts to undermine our fight against terrorism. I 
call upon the French Government to join the fight against international 
terrorism, not to thumb its nose at the United States, not to applaud 
the efforts of Total.
  I believe that our laws must be enforced and its strict sanctions 
must be brought to bear on Total. Every Member of this body, Mr. 
President, voted for the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act.
  It is only when we see planes being shot down, it is only when the 
victims and their families come and say, What are you doing? that we 
stand up and take action. Every Member of this body should be outraged 
that Total has thumbed its nose at this ban. They did so deliberately. 
Its actions are an insult not only to this body but to all of the 
nations of the world who should be working together in a united front 
against terrorism.
  Fighting international terrorism requires every nation to unite 
together, and it requires that we remain resolute. It requires that we 
put corporate greed and profits on the back burner. Many of our own 
companies are so worried about international profits.
  But let me tell you, when terrorism strikes here, when you see what 
takes place, then an aroused American public gets us to do something. 
Only when we see the bombing at the World Trade Center--that is real; 
impacting people's lives--and when we see the Iranians

[[Page S10762]]

and the Libyans give sanctuary to terrorists, only then will we maybe 
do something. But then some say, Not when corporate profits get in the 
way. Or our allies may say, Oh, no, don't do this, knowing that these 
are renegade governments and countries who sponsor terrorist attacks, 
who are responsible for over 300 U.S. citizens being killed--and the 
Libyans were and they now give sanctuary to two men who have been 
indicted.
  No. Sadly, we have to do something. I am very concerned that the 
administration will shirk its responsibility.
  Sadly, I also rise today to describe another kind of terrorism, Mr. 
President. It is one that is too often seen but little done. It is one 
that permeates our Nation's school systems, particularly inner-city 
schools. It is a terrorism in which violent juveniles prey upon good 
kids. And it has to stop.
  Just as we must be united and remain resolute in our fight against 
international terrorism, we must be united and remain resolute in the 
fight at home. Once again, each and every one of us has a 
responsibility to stand up and fight this terrorism to make a 
difference. Business as usual is no longer acceptable. There is no more 
fundamental right in our democracy than the right of our children to 
have a good education. That requires that they be safe. That requires 
that a school be an oasis for learning.

  Many people have asked me why I have taken such a public and 
outspoken position as it relates to education reforms. New Yorkers may 
have been shocked when they read yesterday's newspapers of gang 
violence in the public schools.
  I point to those headlines. ``Probe Rips Principals for Turning Blind 
Eye to the Gangs.'' The story in the New York Post turns to the issue 
of the gangs which have taken over schools.
  The Daily News: ``Fear Stalks Hallways as Hoods Take Over.'' One 
student says that he feels at times safer--safer--in dangerous 
neighborhoods at night than he does walking in the hallways.
  We are not talking about violence in streets and alleys. This 
violence is taking place inside our schools, which should be 
sanctuaries to our children. That means that the real victims are our 
children. Just as we must stand up to Total and other companies who 
give aid and comfort to international regimes, we must stand up to the 
terrorism that is occurring in our classrooms. We must get violent and 
disruptive juveniles out of the classrooms so good kids can learn. We 
need fundamental sweeping reforms throughout our educational system.
  In addition to getting violent and disruptive juveniles out of the 
classrooms, Mr. President, we need to give merit pay to the outstanding 
teachers, those who are dedicated, those who want to make a difference 
and those who do make a difference. We have to see that we have tenure 
reform in order to get those teachers who are not performing, who are 
bad teachers out of the classroom.
  We need school choice so that parents can make educational decisions 
instead of Government bureaucrats.
  Finally, Mr. President, we have to stand up to the teachers unions 
and tell them to put our children first. Unfortunately, the unions are 
more interested in their perks and privileges than they are in 
providing a good education for our children.
  Above all, we must get violent and disruptive juveniles out of 
schools. I want to see more power given to our school principals to 
remove violent juveniles from the classrooms. We cannot tolerate the 
kind of situation that is taking place in more and more of our schools 
in more and more of our cities to more and more of our children.
  Principals should have fast-track authority. You want to talk about 
fast-track authority for trade? Give our principals fast-track 
authority to expel gang members and other violent offenders. That is 
what we really need to be doing to help this country and to help the 
educational system.
  Just like in the fight against international terrorism, more pressure 
has to be brought to bear on terrorism in our schools. The fight 
against terrorism in our schools must be a united fight. The teachers 
unions, who opposed every commonsense reform, surely can agree with the 
notion that violence in schools must be stopped. Instead of pushing for 
more pay and less work for teachers, the teachers unions should join me 
and others in a united effort to combat violence in our schools.
  That is why I have been standing up to those who ask the question, 
``Why do you talk about this?'' We have had debates about educational 
reform and getting more money directly to the District so they can 
spend it on students, not bureaucrats. We have had debates about giving 
parents choice so they can give their kids an opportunity to receive a 
quality education. But let me say something. In every one of those 
situations we have seen the teachers unions come down and oppose this. 
They are against merit pay. They are against getting bad teachers out. 
They want to ensure lifetime contracts. They are interested in perks 
and privileges.
  By gosh, for one time, join with us and see to it that we have 
meaningful reforms so that we can fast track violent students out of 
the schools, so that good and decent kids have an opportunity to have a 
good education, so that children can learn in safety.
  Mr. President, I do not think there is a more important fight against 
terrorism that we can and must and should win than that which confronts 
our children every day, unfortunately, in too many of the schools 
throughout this country.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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