[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[June 27, 1992]
[Pages 1025-1026]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Radio Address to the Nation on a ``GI Bill'' for Children

June 27, 1992
    Today I'd like to speak with you about a subject close to the heart 
of every American: the education of our children. You might not know it 
to read the morning paper or watch the evening news, but there's a 
revolution going on in our country, a revolution with a single aim: To 
make American schools the best in the world.
    This week I proposed a giant step forward in that revolution. I sent 
to Congress legislation authorizing $500 million to help States and 
communities give children from middle- and low-income families a $1,000 
scholarship. And here's the crucial part: Families will be allowed to 
spend this money at any school of their choice, whether that school is 
public, private, or religious. This proposal is in the greatest American 
tradition.
    Forty-eight years ago this week, President Roosevelt signed the GI 
bill creating scholarships that veterans could use at any college, any 
college of their choice. The GI bill created opportunity for Americans 
who never would have had it. And in so doing, it helped to create the 
best system of colleges and universities in the world. And we can do it 
again, this time with a ``GI bill'' for children, helping State and 
local governments create the best elementary and secondary schools in 
the world.
    My proposal is based on a few fundamental truths. I believe that 
parents are their children's first teachers. Parents, not bureaucrats, 
know what's best for their children. Parents, not the Government, should 
choose their children's schools. For too long we've shielded schools 
from competition, allowed them a damaging monopoly power over our 
children. This monopoly turns students into statistics and parents into 
pawns.
    Let's be clear about who's hurt most by the present system. It's not 
the wealthy; they can already afford to send their children to whichever 
school they choose. The ``GI bill'' for children will give low- and 
middle-income families more of those choices. Whether it's the public 
school down the street or across town, whether it's a parochial or 
Yeshiva or Bible school, parents should be able to decide which school 
will provide the best education for their kids. By injecting competition 
into our education system, by allowing parents to choose their 
children's schools, we can break the monopoly, provide the catalyst to 
open up

[[Page 1026]]

opportunities for our kids and create genuine change in our schools.
    Abraham Lincoln said, ``Revolutions do not go backward.'' And all 
across the country, from Pennsylvania to California, from San Antonio to 
Indianapolis, the school choice revolution is gaining steam.
    I met with many leaders of that movement at the White House this 
week. They are the true heroes of school reform. They aren't afraid to 
stand up to the status quo, to say loud and clear that when it comes to 
educating our kids, business as usual just is not good enough. And I'm 
proud to stand at their side.
    The protectors of the status quo should understand this revolution 
will succeed with or without their help. We will create the finest 
schools for our children and grandchildren. And we will do it by 
restoring to education the truest American principles: freedom and 
opportunity and choice.
    Thank you for listening. And may God bless the United States of 
America.

                    Note: This address was recorded at 8 a.m. on June 26 
                        in the Cabinet Room at the White House for 
                        broadcast after 9 a.m. on June 27.