[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS EDUCATION ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 24, 1998

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, today I will introduce the Gifted and 
Talented Students Education Act of 1998 that would provide block grants 
to states to identify and assist our nation's most gifted and talented 
students.
  Gifted and talented students are this nation's greatest natural 
resource. They are our future Thomas Edisons, Langston Hughes, George 
Gershwins and Albert Einsteins. Unfortunately, these students are not 
being challenged today and our nation is missing out on their future 
achievements. According to Secretary of Education Richard Riley, our 
nation is facing a ``quiet crisis'' in that we are not appropriately 
educating our nation's most gifted and talented students. We must 
challenge these students with exceptional talent so they do not slip 
though the cracks and their talent does not go untapped.
  My legislation addresses this ``quiet crisis'' by providing block 
grants to state education agencies to identify gifted and talented 
students from all economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds--including 
students of limited English proficiency and students with 
disabilities--and to provide support programs and services to ensure 
these students achieve their full potential. Funding would be based on 
each state's student population, with each state receiving a minimum of 
$1 million per year.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in my commitment to 
ensure our nation's gifted and talented students reach their fullest 
potential and to ensure we have a new generation of Americans ready to 
meet the demand of the 21st Century.

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