[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H9734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL, NOT A PRIVILEGED FEW

  (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. Mr. Speaker, just 2 weeks ago, the Republican 
leadership brought to this floor a so-called scholarship proposal, an 
experiment that would drain $45 million out of public schools in the 
District of Columbia and give it to just 3 percent of students to 
attend private and religious schools. But taking money out of schools 
in the District of Columbia was not enough for them. Now they are 
coming after all public schools in every city, town and village in the 
Nation, draining resources from public schools and giving vouchers for 
a few to attend private and religious schools.

                              {time}  1030

  That is the Republican HELP Scholarship scheme. HELP the few, deprive 
the many, that is the Republican plan.
  This voucher scheme will do nothing to rebuild our crumbling public 
schools, some overcrowded, or train teachers. Our children need our 
help. This is why Democrats believe in investing in public education. 
Public education for all, opportunity for all, scholarships for all, 
not vouchers for a privileged few.

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