[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 1998

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to voice my outrage for 
President Clinton's veto record with regards to the education of our 
nation's children.
  Over the past Congress, President Clinton has vetoed 7 major 
Republican education initiatives. That's seven times the President 
chose politics over our children. I truly believe the key to our 
children's future is the education they receive. Nothing can be of more 
importance to our families, our communities and our country than the 
quality of education in America. Apparently President Clinton does not 
see it this way.
  Despite the President's heavy veto pen, the Republican's have been 
able to enact legislation which will benefit this nation's education 
system. We now have the lowest student loan interest rate in 17 years 
and have enacted a tax deduction for student loans. We also passed a 
Head Start reauthorization, providing for more funding to help states 
meet the needs of students with disabilities.
  Mr. Speaker, the President's decision to play politics with our 
children's education and future is a bad choice. The fact is, it 
doesn't take a bureaucrat from Washington to tell us how to teach our 
children when parents have always and will always know best. We need to 
keep Washington out of our schools and ensure that parents and teachers 
are able to make their own decisions about how they want their children 
taught. I would like to commend my Republican colleagues for the hard 
work this Congress has done for our children's future.

                          ____________________