[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 137 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               IMPACT AID

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J.C. WATTS, JR.

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 11, 2001

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
the Impact Aid program. Impact Aid remains one of the oldest, and most 
critical, elementary and secondary education programs administered by 
the Department of Education.
  It is vital to more than 1,500 federally impacted school districts 
and 1.5 million children across the country who depend on the program 
for a quality education. This funding not only affects military 
children and children residing on Indian lands, but also an estimated 
17.5 million children who attend financially strapped schools due to a 
large federal presence in their school districts. By increasing 
funding, we help local school districts, which have lost tax revenue as 
a result of the federal presence in their district, better serve their 
communities.
  The Impact Aid program is an example of an effective, successful 
partnership and shared responsibility between federal, state, and local 
governments. Therefore, we must increase funding to ensure that 
students who attend federally impacted schools continue to receive a 
quality education. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the 
Impact Aid program.

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