[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HELPING EMPOWER LOW-INCOME PARENTS [HELP] SCHOLARSHIPS AMENDMENTS OF 
                                  1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 1997

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Education and Workforce 
Committee, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2746, the Help Scholarships 
Act.
  In the 105th Congress, our education agenda centers around four 
important priorities--sending more dollars directly to the classroom, 
returning control of education to local communities, bolstering 
academics, and increasing parental involvement by providing more 
choices.
  H.R. 2746 is an essential component of our education agenda because 
it provides low-income parents with choices normally reserved for well-
to-do families--to be able to send their children to the best schools 
of their choosing.
  Additionally, H.R. 2746 maintains the primary role that States and 
local communities play in our education system. Before Federal funds 
can be used for school choice programs, State governments must enact 
legislation establishing a choice program in their State.
  Therefore, it is my hope that following passage of the Help 
Scholarship Act, all 50 States will quickly pass enabling legislation 
so that our country's neediest students have an opportunity to attend 
the school that is best for them.
  Again, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 2746.

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