[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 144 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H9046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NO PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS

  (Mr. LEWIS of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, last week I visited six schools 
in Atlanta: Inman Park Preschool, Morningside, Adamsville, Cook 
Elementary School, Walden Middle School, and Grady High School. What 
parents, teachers, administrators, and students all told me was we 
should not allow Republicans to take money away from our public schools 
and give it to private and religious schools.
  Madam Speaker, the American people want strong public schools, not 
private school vouchers for a privileged few. Nine out of 10 children 
attend public schools. Each and every one deserves a first-class 
education. That is why Democrats want to invest in public schools.
  What do the Republicans propose? Abolish the Department of Education, 
divert resources to private and religious schools. And today we 
consider a sneaky plan that uses the Tax Code to undermine support for 
public schools.
  Madam Speaker, our children deserve better than easy schemes and 
quick-fix solutions. Stop scheming and invest in public education.

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