[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          SCHOOL CHOICE WORKS

  (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, school choice works. Consider the recent 
example of Albany, New York. Philanthropist Virginia Gilder identified 
one of the worst schools in the entire city and offered every student a 
scholarship of $2,000. One-sixth of the children at that school took 
her up on the offer and transferred to private schools.
  What was the result? Here is what the Washington Post reports: ``It 
worked. The school board ousted the principal, brought in nine new 
teachers, added two assistant principals and invested in books, 
equipment and teacher training after years of neglect.''
  Faced with the prospect of losing its students to the competition, 
Albany's school system reformed itself. Albany's example shows that 
school choice helps not only the students who receive scholarships, it 
also helps the children who remain in public schools.
  Mr. Speaker, if it worked in Albany, it can work in Anacostia. Next 
month, the House will consider school choice legislation for the 
children of the District. I urge my colleagues to support it.

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