[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 21 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORT MORE TEACHERS AND MORE REPAIRS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

  (Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, public school education has made this 
country the most productive and advanced country on the planet. It is 
the key that opens the door of opportunities to achieve the American 
dream. It is not only where we learn our common American heritage and 
our common values, but it is where we can set a high level of 
achievement and expectation for all American students.
  Supporters of public schools understand that our public schools must 
get better, but let us start at the beginning, grades 1, 2 and 3. That 
is why I support President Clinton's 100,000 new teachers to reduce 
class size. Smaller class sizes mean more individualized attention for 
all of our kids, and a safer and better environment in which they can 
learn.
  But there are those in the extreme who want to tear down our public 
schools and take money from them, to eliminate the opportunity for all 
Americans to be able to achieve the American dream.
  I urge my colleagues to support President Clinton's plan to reduce 
class size for 100,000 more schoolteachers, and to provide repairs to 
the needy school districts whose school buildings are in disrepair.

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