[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H5417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

  (Mr. ROGAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, children living in the District of Columbia 
deserve something they are not getting today: a quality education. The 
District of Columbia Control Board found ``that the longer students 
stay in the District's public school system, the less likely they are 
to succeed.''
  In today's high-tech economy, our children simply cannot compete in 
life without a sound education. While Congress supports the efforts of 
General Becton, we must do more to give the children in the District of 
Columbia the opportunity for a quality education.
  The D.C. School Choice bill would give low-income parents the freedom 
to choose the best schools for their children. When D.C. public schools 
compete for students, they will improve by necessity.
  Mr. Speaker, the children of Washington deserve a chance to succeed 
in life. I urge my House colleagues to give them that chance by 
supporting school choice for the District of Columbia schools.

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