[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 JOHN MILTON GREGORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 1997

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the students 
at John Milton Gregory elementary School located in the 7th 
Congressional district on Chicago's Westside. Recently, we conducted a 
town hall meeting on education with the student body at that school. I 
would like to thank Dr. Hazel Steward, education officer for the 
Chicago Public Schools [CPS], Mr. Artie Borders, principal at Gregory 
and Mr. Lafayette Ford, local school council liaison for the CPS, for 
their assistance. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable Access TV 
(channel 19) on November 19, 1997 at 2 p.m., and again at 7 p.m.
  The Gregory students were informed, thoughtful, and articulate. They 
were genuinely concerned about the differences between inner city and 
suburban schools. The questions were, and I quote, ``Why are suburban 
books newer than ours?'' ``Why are suburban desks newer than ours?'' 
``Why is our equipment older?''; and ``Why don't we have recess 
anymore?'' These were big questions from young people that are 
intelligent enough to understand and recognize these differences. 
Gregory students were asking the same type of questions as Members of 
Congress.
  In response to their questions, I had to tell the children at Gregory 
School that the majority in Congress was more committed to funding a 
$21 billion weapons program to purchase nine B-2 stealth bombers than 
placing these resources where they are desperately needed; in our 
educational system. I had to tell the children at Gregory that the U.S. 
Air Force does not even want or need these bombers. I had to tell the 
children at Gregory that the average urban school needs $1.7 million 
for repairs and upgrade, and we claim the title of being the riches 
country in the world. And I had to tell the children at Gregory that 
the majority in Congress does not see the need to heavily invest in our 
Nation's future, our children. Anyone who does not understand why we 
should be investing in public education ought to tune in on November 19 
and be enlightened.

                          ____________________