[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 80 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H4727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REPUBLICAN EDUCATION PROPOSAL LONG ON PROMISE AND SHORT ON SUBSTANCE

  (Mr. CUMMINGS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the education 
savings account proposal. Ninety percent of America's children receive 
a public school education. This proposal is a slap in the face to 
America's already struggling school systems.
  If this measure is adopted, resources will be siphoned away from an 
already financially needy education system. It does nothing to 
strengthen one of our most cherished American institutions, public 
education.
  How then can we in good faith suggest a measure to the American 
public that would primarily benefit wealthy families? Instead, I urge 
my colleagues to join the effort to build and modernize our public 
school buildings and administrations.
  Instead, let us provide funding for local school districts to hire 
100,000 new and qualified teachers to reduce class size. Instead, let 
us initiate comprehensive reform through the creation of Education 
Opportunity Zones in both urban and rural areas.
  Instead, let us expand access to after-school initiatives through the 
``21st Century Community Learning Center Program.''
  Mr. Speaker, the agenda proposed by my Republican colleagues is long 
on promise and short on substance.

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