[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 34 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E354-E355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   WE WANT THE BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 1999

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the issue 
of school construction. Education is one area we cannot shortchange. It 
has been statistically proven and exhaustively mentioned in this 
Chamber that children learn better in smaller classes.
  It has also been proven that children need access to technology and 
other resources to be successful. One way to do that is to build areas 
that are reflective of these technological developments and trends--new 
schools.
  I respect the fact that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle 
agree that new schools are an important key to education. It is 
unfortunate that those same people have spent 4 years blocking all 
significant school modernization initiatives.
  The Archer proposal would only give limited assistance to schools and 
targets the districts that need this assistance the least.

[[Page E355]]

  We have all heard the stories of classes being held in spaces not 
intended as classrooms. Students are being taught in trailers, gyms, 
lunchrooms, and closets.
  Statistics show there is a national school infrastructure backlog of 
needed repair totaling $112 billion. We now know that nearly one-third 
of all schools are in need of extensive repair or replacement.
  As this need for school repair continues to mount so does the 
pressure on our students to succeed and compete with their peers 
internationally.
  To level the playing field we must provide our students with the 
tools of success. They need computers with access to the Internet, 
smaller classes, well-trained teachers, and modern schools. We should 
never again hear tales of learning in closets or trailers in parking 
lots.
  We have the opportunity in this Congress to help our future. Mr. 
Speaker, I hope that we can enact meaningful legislation that will give 
American children a chance to soar.
  In closing I ask:
  We want the best for our children, the best for our country, and the 
best for our future. Why then do we not get our house, or school house, 
in order?

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