[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REPUBLICAN EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to clarify 
what has been done in the 105th Congress regarding the many education 
issues facing our schools today. Work on education reform has now been 
completed, and I want to update my colleagues on the accomplishments of 
the Republican Congress, and the challenges of the future.
  During this Congress, we approved 22 major education initiatives, 
including: the Reading Excellence Act (H.R. 2614), the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act (P.L. 105-17), a school nutrition bill (H.R. 
3874), A+ Education Savings Accounts (H.R. 2646), a quality Head Start 
bill (S. 2206), a charter schools bill (H.R. 2616), and the Dollars to 
the Classroom grants (H.R. 3248). In addition, we are sending $1.1 
billion to the States to fill teaching needs. These Republican 
initiatives will send more Dollars to the classroom, honor State and 
local authority, promote quality in our Nation's schools, and increase 
parental involvement and responsibility. These common-sense reforms 
will foster excellence in our Nation's schools while limiting 
Washington's control of the classroom.
  Unfortunately, President Clinton, despite his rhetoric, has 
politicized and hampered our attempts to improve schools. The President 
has threatened to veto the Dollars to Classroom Act, which would send 
$2.7 billion directly to public schools, prepaid college tuition plans, 
and bilingual education reform. In addition, the President has already 
vetoed safe schools legislation, a teacher testing bill, and our A+ 
Education Savings Accounts proposal. These actions clearly demonstrate 
Clinton's desire to thwart real reform and local decision-making.
  I will continue to fight the President and his administration in 
their plans to complicate and stifle our efforts to lead this country 
in a new direction for the 21st Century. Although much still remains to 
be done, I remain optimistic for the future. With persistence, focus, 
and input from the people of this great country, we will empower our 
Nation's children, parents, and teachers to achieve their greatest 
potential.

                          ____________________