[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H6515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TALK ABOUT EDUCATION REFORM IS NOTHING BUT TALK

  (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, on July 21, President Clinton showed the 
entire world that all talk about education reform is nothing but talk. 
The President's veto of the Education Savings Account legislation that 
passed both Houses of Congress is clear evidence that one party is 
beholden to special interests who benefit from the status quo.

                              {time}  1015

  Education failure is virtually in every city in America. The liberals 
accept that failure in our education system year after year after year. 
The rhetoric is fine and wonderful sounding, repair crumbling schools, 
spend more money, hire more teachers, but nothing seems to change.
  Mr. Speaker, Republicans have a better idea. Republicans believe that 
accountability and competition in the marketplace produce excellence in 
the auto industry, in the computer industry, and in manufacturing of 
consumer goods. Why should education be any different?
  If we believe in accountability and if we believe in excellence, not 
in words but in practice, then I would urge my colleagues to vote to 
override the President's veto and overcome the status quo by making 
education savings accounts the law of the land.

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