[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H4336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 3652, THE ETHERIDGE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION ACT

  (Mr. ETHERIDGE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on this House to 
pass common sense legislation to help our States and communities build 
modern, safe school facilities for our children.
  Across the country, students rejoice as another school year comes to 
an end. On Friday I had the opportunity to attend the high school 
graduation for my son David. It was one of my proudest moments as a 
father. But as a former superintendent of my State schools, I also know 
firsthand that too many of our children are forced to attend classes in 
trailers or closets and bathrooms and unsafe, overcrowded classrooms, 
and I call on this Congress to pass legislation before the start of the 
next school year to build new schools, relieve the overcrowding and 
reduce class sizes.
  I have introduced legislation, H.R. 3652, that will create $7.2 
billion in school construction bonds for States and localities that are 
suffering under the strain of overcrowded schools. Forty-eight Members 
of this House have already signed on from 15 different States, and I 
call on other colleagues to join me to address this urgent need. Many 
different organizations have joined, and I challenge others to join us.
  Mr. Speaker, an investment in our schools is an investment in our 
children and an investment in our Nation's future.

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