[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[April 18, 1991]
[Pages 394-395]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at a National Education Strategy Briefing
April 18, 1991

    Thank you all, and thank you for coming here to the White House. Let 
me just salute our Secretary of Education, Lamar Alexander, and say how 
much I'm relying on him. Not only has he and his new team formulated a 
plan that I think will be very well-received, but knowing him, he'll be 
driving us all to see that we follow through--something I'm determined 
to do. But I salute him.
    I had a meeting early on with the Governors who are here, and I 
thanked them. We're approaching this in a totally nonpartisan way. We 
have Democratic and Republican Governors in the meeting at the White 
House. They subsequently met with some of the business leaders who are 
here, and I salute them and thank them for taking the time in the 
leadership roles that they have undertaken. And I will salute the State 
legislators who are with us, our education community leaders, and other 
business leaders who didn't attend--some of the small business leaders 
and others who have been involved in this from the very beginning.
    So, we're dedicating this day, this kickoff day, to our new 
education strategy. And seeing everyone here tells me that there is a 
great sense of determination and support out there for what we'll be 
trying to do. There's a new optimism in this country, a renewal of a 
can-do spirit that made our country great. I can't think of a better 
reason to put this renewed sense of duty and confidence to work than for 
the sake of our children. Many of you have been doing that all your 
lives, and now the rest of us want to join in and do what we can to 
help.
    We're on our way. Many of you in this room, Lamar tells me, have 
taken the crucial first steps and started programs to rejuvenate an 
education system that wasn't living up to our expectations. We've 
already moved beyond the days of issuing report after report about the 
dismal state of our schools. We don't need any more of those. Today 
we're trying to put the focus on the future and do something about this 
state of affairs.
    This afternoon, I'll unveil an aggressive and innovative new 
education strategy. Some of you already know this, and maybe some don't, 
so let me just summarize for you the strategy in just a few sentences. 
For today's students, we must make existing schools better and more 
accountable. For tomorrow's students--that's the next generation--we 
must create a new generation of American schools. For all of us--for the 
adults who think our school days are over--we've got to become a nation 
of students, to recognize that learning is a lifelong process. Finally, 
outside our schools, we must cultivate communities where learning can 
happen. This strategy will bring us even closer to making sure that 
America's children receive the best education in the world.
    We're not afraid of new ideas. And there are a lot of great ideas 
out there, out in the States and the cities and the communities, in the 
education and business communities. My job is to do everything in my 
power to give these ideas a chance. With Secretary Alexander and his 
strong new team, and with all of you, I think we're on our way to an 
exciting new chapter. I like to think of it as a true renaissance in 
American education.
    All of you are also proof that this new education strategy just 
begins with our

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schools, that our dedication doesn't end when the bell rings at the end 
of every school day. Every single American has a stake in what we're 
starting today, and I am confident that we'll rise to the challenge.
    Forty or fifty years from now, some fifth or sixth grader who's 
sitting in a classroom somewhere in America today will be standing here 
in my place. Because of the commitment that I am told exists in the 
Department of Education, here in this room, in the various communities 
represented, whether it's the Governors or business or some in labor so 
interested in all of this, or the State legislators--because of that 
commitment, I know in my heart that that person--she or he--will have 
had every opportunity that this great country has to offer.
    So, let's go to work. I know we can do it. And I'm with you all the 
way. Thank you so very much for your involvement. And may God bless this 
effort and our great country. Thank you all.

                    Note: The President spoke at 11:23 a.m. in Room 450 
                        of the Old Executive Office Building. In his 
                        remarks, he referred to Secretary of Education 
                        Lamar Alexander.