[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H3030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE

  (Mr. JONES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, it is a sad fact but it is true that 
America's education system is failing our children. Many of today's 
students are not learning as they should, and some are even afraid to 
go to school because they are forced to attend a school in which they 
fear for their safety.
  This terrible situation has resulted from years of Federal 
bureaucracies trying to fill a role that needs to be filled by parents, 
teachers, and communities. The Federal Government already funds more 
than 760 Federal education programs which span 40 Federal agencies, 
boards, and commissions and costs the American taxpayer nearly $100 
billion a year. But these efforts have failed our children.
  They have failed because a Federal bureaucrat who is hundreds or even 
thousands of miles away cannot possibly determine what is best for a 
child like those who see the children every day. It is past time to 
return education to parents, teachers, and communities where it 
belongs. I hope my colleagues will support school choice

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