[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2377]]
     CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1, NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2001

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the conference 
report. I want to commend Chairman Boehner and Ranking Member Miller 
for putting together a strong compromise on such an important issue.
  This legislation has the potential to dramatically change the public 
education system in this country. It authorizes significant levels of 
funding. It says to parents that Congress believes education is a top 
priority, and that we will make good on our goal--that every child in 
America should get a quality education.
  I am pleased with the changes this bill makes. Changes to the Title I 
formula will provide a 29-percent increase for New York City schools. 
For years, the New York City school system has provided an education to 
tens of thousands of low-income and disadvantaged children, while 
receiving less than their fair share of Title I funding. This money is 
especially important as New York City schools recover from the 
continuing effects of September 11.
  This legislation also promises parents that their children will have 
qualified teachers in the classroom, and that student progress will be 
closely monitored to ensure that they are on the right track.
  I've had the pleasure to work with Chairman Ralph Regula and Ranking 
Member David Obey in crafting the Labor, Health and Human Services and 
Education Appropriations bill. They have both worked tirelessly to 
provide significant increases in education funding this year, and we 
will vote on the fruits of their labor next week.
  But while we will provide these increases this year, the prospects 
for continuing to provide the resources necessary to continue our 
efforts on education are dim. The faltering economy, coupled with the 
increasing impact of the President's tax cut, will make the 
appropriations process exceedingly difficult in the coming years. We 
will be forced to make some difficult choices.
  This same dilemma will be felt in all fifty states. School districts 
across the country are being forced to slash their budgets as state 
revenues have plummeted. If we enforce these new requirements without 
ensuring that schools have the funding to implement them, our school 
districts will have to make choices they shouldn't be asked to 
consider.
  I support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it as 
well. I also hope that our support for education does not stop at 
authorizing funds, but that this vote today is the first step in the 
process of providing the necessary resources. Our children deserve no 
less.

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