[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H10670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DEMOCRATS WILL STAY UNTIL EDUCATION NEEDS ARE ADDRESSED

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that even though it is 
the 11th hour in these budget negotiations, the Republican leadership 
has still not agreed to the Democrat school modernization program.
  Let me say how important that program is. In almost every school 
district around this country there is a need for modernization of 
schools, whether that means rewiring for computers or it means having 
to build a school addition or just repairing a roof. And we know that 
many of the school districts around the country simply do not have the 
money or they cannot get bond, they cannot bond at a good interest rate 
to be able to do those kind of modernization programs.
  Why are the Republicans insisting that this not be included in the 
final budget agreement? We have been here now for almost 2 years and 
they still insist that this education initiative is not necessary.
  Let me tell my colleagues, it is necessary. Democrats will stay here 
as long as it takes to make sure that this is included in the budget 
before we go home, because we know that it is needed. Education is the 
future of this country, and kids are not going to be able to learn how 
to read or function properly if the school buildings are not up to 
snuff.

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