[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H665-H666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            FEDERAL BALONEY

  (Mr. FORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's governors are in town this week; 
and many of them are here with their hands out and their minds closed.
  I am referring to several governors who have taken aim at the 
President's budget proposals for education reform.
  The President has proposed an ambitious education agenda based on 
accountability, performance, competition and competency. He proposes to 
give States and school districts the resources they will need to 
modernize their schools, hire qualified teachers and reach higher 
standards.
  What are the governors saying about these proposals? The governor of 
Arkansas says that he wants the dough without the strings. The governor 
of Mississippi called the administration's proposals Federal baloney.
  These statements betray an alarming ideological shift among these 
State executives. Fundamentally, what they are saying is that they 
would like to spend tax dollars with impunity. They should know, as 
most citizens do, that just as the private sector cannot spend money 
without accountability, neither can government.
  Let us give the States the resources they need but let us do it in a 
sound and sensible way, with accountability. That means ending social 
promotions, but giving those kids and schools the extra help they need 
to improve. That means making sure that all teachers are qualified. 
That means giving parents annual report cards on student performance.
  Federal baloney, Mr. Speaker? Hardly.
  Let us end the rhetoric and embrace the national leadership to turn 
around our Nation's schools.

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