[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 144 (Monday, October 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               EDUCATION

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, as we started to hear this debate this 
morning, and talking about different ways of accomplishing things here 
on a nonpartisan basis, it started off a little on the partisan side. 
Education is very dear to the hearts of all of us because all of us, 
probably, have had a connection with kids and so have been involved in 
education. I still have one going to school. But to hear the other side 
talk, we have done nothing about that.
  You know, we have increased the funds for special education since the 
Republicans took over in 1994.
  We passed education savings accounts that would empower parents to 
make choices for their own children with regard to books and computers 
and this type stuff. That was a bad idea to the President. He vetoed 
it. I guess he wants to empower bureaucracy rather than empower 
parents.
  We passed the opportunity scholarships, a highly popular program here 
in Washington, DC, that would allow parents more choice of where to 
send their kids to school. That was vetoed.
  We passed a $2.74 billion education bill for classrooms, and we 
guaranteed that 95 percent of it would get to kids. That met with stiff 
opposition from the President.
  Encouraging States to implement teacher testing and merit pay, what 
is wrong with that? That got vetoed by the President.
  Strengthening safe schools, the antigun program--that was vetoed.
  Tax relief to employers who provide workers education assistance, 
folks we are retraining in this rapidly changing world of technology? 
Vetoed by the President.
  I have to look and say all at once: 2 plus 2 is not making 5, when we 
start talking about education and who wants to do what for whom.
  I just noticed here, earlier this year my good friend from 
Massachusetts said we have ``a relationship with Federal, State, and 
local community levels in terms of education; it is a partnership.'' 
Tell me how good this partnership is. The Federal Government only 
provides 7 percent of the money but 50 percent of the paperwork. That 
should not surprise you a lot if you have been around government at any 
time.
  In 1969, our expenditure was $68 billion; in 1996, it was $564 
billion; and yet even by their own admission, education continues to 
struggle and go down. That is the point I wanted to make here. I would 
say whenever we start looking at education, the answer lies in the 
realization that you cannot kill or do away with an idea. Ideas rule 
the world. The only way you get rid of a bad idea is with a better one. 
I think we have come up with some awfully good ideas.
  I yield to my friend from Texas.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
  Mr. GRAMM. Mr. President, I wanted to give our colleague who has to 
preside an opportunity to speak first. I thank him for arranging for me 
to be recognized.

                          ____________________