[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 92 (Monday, July 13, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8052-S8053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               EDUCATION: RECENT SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to mention a few topics 
vital to the educational success and safety of American children.
  Mr. President, last week we saw some real success for American 
families and students. The Higher Education Reauthorization Act made 
several improvements that can benefit from more attention; this bill is 
a major victory for students and teachers across America. My daughter 
enters college this fall. I now get to experience first-hand the 
challenges of entering higher education that millions of families each 
year, and our actions last week were helpful.
  Throughout the Labor Committee's efforts on this bill, I worked to 
strengthen our Nation's commitment to providing the strongest training 
possible for K-12 school teachers. I am most pleased with the bill's 
focus on teacher training, and in particular its emphasis on technology 
training.
  The bill's provisions concerning student loans will make the dream of 
higher education that much closer to reality for many potential 
American college students. The campus safety and child care provisions 
will make a difference in all our communities.
  I specifically thank Senator Wellstone for his work on the TANF 
amendment, so important for literacy instruction and lifelong learning. 
Since our debate on the welfare reform bill in 1996, I have worked with 
former Senator Simon, Senator Wellstone, and other Senators to point 
out the vital importance of education and literacy to a person's 
success in getting off of welfare. The passage of the Wellstone 
amendment is the right thing to do for low-income working Americans.
  Under the Higher Education Reauthorization Act, I believe that the 
first generation of the new millennium will benefit immensely from the 
efforts put forth over this past year. From increases in financial aid, 
to campus security improvements, to technology instruction, S. 1882 
will stand as a proud hallmark of this Congress.
  Mr. President, on other education topics, we still have some large 
challenges ahead. The House Appropriations Committee is set to have 
full Committee mark-up of education appropriations this week. The Labor 
Subcommittee has cut education funding from the President's proposed 
levels by $2 billion in discretionary spending, and ignored his 
proposals to improve school construction and class size reduction. This 
would be the week for House members to eliminate these egregious cuts.
  Let me list a few things the House has put at risk through cuts or 
eliminations: improving children's literacy; opening school buildings 
up after hours to make them the hub of the community; getting extra 
help in reading and math to poor-achieving students; improving 
education technology, including technology teacher training; getting 
first-generation students ready for college; and many others. The House 
has ignored the priorities of the American people.
  The American people care deeply about education. They are frustrated 
when their schools do not succeed, and they bristle at those who would 
make it harder for the schools to succeed. This is not about just 
bricks and mortar, or about throwing good money after bad. This is 
about priorities, common-sense solutions, and improving quality.
  Do not try to fool the parents. The parents know that school 
improvement has a cost--in hard decisions, and in hard cash. They know 
that when Congress offers vouchers and expanded charter schools and 
bonuses for private schools and private businesses--the

[[Page S8053]]

Congress is turning its back on the public school.
  They know that a cut is a cut, and that a block grant leads to a cut. 
They know that nearly the entire discussion this year on education from 
the other side of the aisle--and a time or two on this side of the 
aisle--amounts to the empty words of a snake-oil salesman.
  Well, now we have a chance to turn this all around, like the public 
has forced the Congress to do in years past. Congress cuts the funding 
for schools, the public groans in disbelief, and the Congress wises up. 
Let us not wait until September to do it. The House has a chance this 
week to put back the money they've taken. The Senate will have its 
chance soon.
  In America, you turn your back on the public school at your peril. 
What we need to do instead is meet the hard challenges head on.
  The schools, in the inner cities, and in the rural areas, are 
crumbling. The Congress can do something about it.
  The classes are overcrowded, which adds to the school construction 
problem. The Congress can take action.
  The budgets have been cut and cut, and failing a local levy can mean 
disaster for a school. The Congress can keep its hands off the school 
budget, and restore these House cuts.
  The Congress can increase national expenditures to more than the 
meager 2 percent of the national budget it now sets aside for schools. 
And the Congress can set the right tone.
  Rather than generating empty air that has the effect of chipping away 
at support for the local public school--the very foundation of 
democracy, citizenship, and community in this nation--the Congress can 
speak the words that need to be said.
  The responsibility of serving as a member of Congress, as a member of 
the United States Senate, is weighty indeed. By our words, our 
signature, and our actions, we can take steps to improve our nation's 
schools and our student's futures.
  We can set an important tone, and say the hard things that the 
students, families, teachers, school officials, community leaders and 
others need to hear. We can also talk of success.
  But if we act and speak only to tear the fabric of support for the 
public school--if the tone we set is only to chip, chip, chip at public 
confidence in an institution they know personally to have value--then 
we are abdicating part of our great responsibility as Senators.
  Americans know that members of Congress can work together, and 
achieve results. They know we could take actions to improve their 
public schools. And that is why it is so disheartening to me when 
Republicans or Democrats put ideology or politics or mean-spiritedness 
in the way of success for our students. We must act together to do what 
is in the best interest of all children.
  It is also important Mr. President that we conduct background checks 
and adequately screen our teachers to make sure they are qualified, 
competent and capable of providing our children with the quality 
education they deserve.

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