[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[July 21, 1992]
[Pages 1145-1150]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at the Presidential Open Forum on Educational Choice in 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

July 21, 1992
    The President. Before taking your questions let me just make a few 
brief comments. The first, of course, is to say how very, very pleased I 
am to be here, and secondly, to thank Maria for that extraordinarily 
personal and generous and kind welcome and introduction; to say to Kelly 
Geiger, I'm glad he's not running for President this year--[laughter]--
articulate guy that he is. But I was most moved, as I told His Eminence, 
by Kelly's presentation and by Maria's introduction.
    I want to say how pleased I was to be here for the lovely grace, 
most appropriately said before our meeting here today. May I salute His 
Eminence Cardinal Bevilacqua and salute him for his leadership in 
working for the broad principle that kids ought to be able to choose the 
school that they attend. It is a sound principle, and I support it 
strongly.
    Our ``GI bill'' for children is not conceived out of denigration for 
the public school system. Indeed, the way our proposal works, it would 
enhance and strengthen the public schools, as well as providing choice 
for the families that want to send their kids to parochial schools, to 
private schools, be they religious or not.
    So we've got a good proposal. I support it all the way, and I will 
fight for it. I believe that it will make all schools better, not just 
those that are selected by the people who participate in this marvelous 
program.
    I also want to salute Lamar Alexander, the former Governor of the 
State of Tennessee, an outstanding Secretary of Education who is not 
afraid to take on the educational establishment because he knows and I 
know that in the program we have, a program called America 2000, we are 
on the right track in terms of offering the best possible education to 
every kid in this country. We literally want to revolutionize education 
and bring the control and participation as close as possible to the 
families, as close as possible to the local communities. That's the 
rationale behind what I think is the best and boldest new education 
program that's been ever conceived for our country. Again, I want to 
take that case to the American people.
    We've made some progress in education, but we've got to do more. We 
have six national education goals that we've set out, and it ranges all 
the way from Head Start, support for that, all the way up to the fact 
that no one's too old to learn. Lamar talked me into demonstrating that 
no one is too old to learn, and I've learned now how to turn on my 
computer, and I am making dramatic headway. [Laughter] I refuse to take 
on any of these kids, however, in computer science. But we've got a good 
pro-

[[Page 1146]]

gram, and it fits nicely into the values that I believe the church here 
epitomizes.
    One last conclusion, and then I'll take your questions. I met today 
with some mayors from various communities across the country, the Mayor 
of New Orleans, a large city, the Mayor of a tiny town of Herne, Texas, 
down in my part of the world. They got onto this subject of family 
values, something that Kelly talked about I thought in a most articulate 
way, something that obviously His Eminence stands for, and it's 
something we've been talking about at our table over here. I remembered 
not just this meeting but a meeting I had with the other mayors from the 
National League of Cities. They told me, as this group did today, that 
the major worry that they have in terms of cities, the major thing that 
contributes to crime in the cities or lack of discipline or disorder, is 
the decline of the American family. We have got to find ways to 
strengthen it.
    In this audience, obviously, I'm preaching to the choir. I'm talking 
to people that live these values, in churches that stand for the values. 
But it is very, very important that we find ways to improve, to help 
families restore those great family values of discipline and respect and 
order, and respect for one's parents, and right from wrong, and the 
values that, I'll be honest, a lot of us, my generation, just took for 
granted simply. But now we've got to find ways as citizens, as people 
involved in politics, whether you're President of the United States or 
someone in the local spectrum here, to do what we can to strengthen the 
family values.
    When Kelly spoke from his heart as he did, it made a tremendous 
impression on me. There's an awful lot of good out here in this country, 
an awful lot to be proud of, an awful lot to respect. We're in a funny 
time now where it's fashionable to tear down our country or to offer 
some theory that we've been wrong in the past. But when it comes to 
values, when it comes to education, I think that we must turn to where 
our strength is, and that is helping improve the family, but it is also 
in our faith. I won't ever forget as long as I'm President, Lincoln 
talked about going to his knees in prayer. I'll also not forget that we 
are one Nation under God, and that's something we must never forget.
    We have these wandering microphone holders here. I don't know how 
they were selected for this awesome responsibility. But nevertheless, 
somebody stick their hand up, and we'll just take a few questions before 
I have to go on to New Jersey.
    All right, don't be shy. Kelly, come on, you ask--let me just--we're 
encouraging this. Here we are, right here, sir.

[A participant expressed concern about the affordability of parochial 
school for his grandchildren and supported the President's proposal.]

    The President. Well, we're going to continue to support it, Officer. 
I'll tell you, I am not pessimistic about the economic future. One of 
the things we must do--and set aside for a minute this question of 
educational choice--one of the things we must do is succeed in our 
overall approach to quality education. The way we are going to guarantee 
the future for your kids and those that follow is going to be to have an 
economic environment, an economic environment in this country where 
people can get jobs.
    We've been through this long, slow recession. We're growing a little 
bit now as a country. In my view, we are poised for a good recovery. Our 
interest rates are down; inflation is down, and all of this. But to 
succeed, to really compete in the world, we are going to have to succeed 
in achieving by the end of this decade our six educational goals. I 
think we can do it. If we do, we're going to be able to compete. We'll 
have better jobs, and we're going to be able to sell more abroad. 
Exports have saved us, incidentally, in this slow, anemic time, a time 
of anemic economic growth.
    So as I look at how to answer the questions to your kids coming 
along, one of them has got to be success in achieving these six national 
educational goals. Then, of course, a part of that is school choice; a 
part of that is encouraging, every way we can, excellence in education.
    We've got good programs to increase the math and science. I was only 
half kidding when I mentioned the computer. We are

[[Page 1147]]

not going to succeed and compete abroad if we don't do better in math 
and science. Lamar has pushed through some very strong support for those 
who are studying and teaching in math and science. So we can make it, 
but we've got to go along and succeed in our goals here.
    Yes, sir.

[A participant asked about the funding for the President's proposal.]

    The President. The money is coming from a regular appropriation, if 
we can get it passed. It will start as a $500 million demonstration 
program, and it's figured into our budget so it will not increase the 
deficit. It will come through the regular appropriations process in the 
Congress if we can get the United States Congress to think new thoughts. 
The problem is many that control the educational establishment in 
Washington are in the grips of a very powerful union, the NEA. If you'll 
excuse me one political comment, it seems to be an arm of the opposition 
party. They are not thinking anew. They are fighting us on school 
choice, and many of the Congressmen just don't want to stand up against 
that.
    But it doesn't matter what party you're in, we've got to get the 
programs through. Then, if it gets passed, it is already covered under 
our budget, so it won't add to the deficit. That's the way it will come, 
regular appropriations.

[A participant asked about educational assistance for middle-income 
families.]

    The President. You're right. And this program that we're talking 
about here today, there is no means testing. A family like yours would 
be covered, a family like yours who, you know, hard-working people and 
want to have this question of choice. That $1,000 would go to the 
family. As His Eminence said, it isn't a question of church and state 
being involved here; we're talking about to the family.
    Let me give you an example of how this would work, and this goes 
back into history. When I got out of the Navy a thousand years ago, I 
participated in what was called the GI bill. They didn't say to me, you 
can have this money to go to a certain kind of school, a public 
university or a parochial or private university. You can go wherever you 
want. That has benefited the public universities. Most people that look 
back and analyze participation in the GI bill will tell you that the 
competition that came from this benefited the public university.
    That same principle of choice and no means testing will apply to 
this program that we're talking about now. So you would get some relief. 
That doesn't answer how you cope with the other costs, but in terms of 
this educational ``GI bill'' for children, the middle class that you're 
talking about would be covered.
    Yes, way back there, Father.

[A participant expressed concern that lower income and minority students 
could not afford Catholic schools and asked if the President's proposal 
could really be passed.]

    The President. I'm not sure I can answer in the affirmative. I can 
tell you we are totally committed. I can't guarantee you that this 
Congress, sitting there as it is, will pass it. We all need to get 
behind it. But I can guarantee you I am going to clearly take this case 
to the American people this fall, get it in focus, and have that a part 
of the ingredient upon which people vote.
    I am determined not to bring into this lovely school arena, 
gymnasium, or whatever wonderful auditorium we're in a lot of partisan 
politics. But here is an issue upon which I have a distinct difference 
with my opponent. I will be making that case, not in a negative way but 
saying, here's what I am for; here's what I am going to fight for. If 
you believe in this, you ought to vote not only for me but for Members 
of the United States Congress whose support is going to be necessary to 
pass this legislation.
    But the reason I have to hedge a little on the question is, I'll be 
honest with you, we're moving into a very political environment in 
Washington, and I don't know whether this Congress is going to take up 
and support this legislation now or not. I'm going to challenge them to 
do that, but we'll see if they do it. But that's the one good thing 
about an ugly election year; you get it in focus. Right now it's not. I 
don't think every American is thinking, am I for the ``GI bill'' or not? 
I've got to do a better

[[Page 1148]]

job making them know that this is an issue.
    But the good thing is that will be clearly a distinction between 
candidates for Presidency, for Congress. And the American people will 
decide. Then you move early; you move quick with that mandate ringing in 
the ears of the Congress to get it passed. I think it will be held over. 
I hope we can get it done soon.

[A participant asked about funding for education of handicapped 
children.]

    The President. Presidents are never supposed to say ``I don't 
know.'' That's a very bad form. And Presidents are supposed to know 
absolutely everything and not be quite as omnipotent as the Cardinal but 
nevertheless--[laughter]--know a lot. I would ask Lamar to address the 
question of what kind of funding we're doing. But I will say this, one 
of the great, the most forward-looking pieces of civil rights 
legislation that has been passed in history was the Americans for 
Disabilities Act. I take great pride in being the steward of that 
legislation. In fairness, I've got to say it wasn't Republican; it 
wasn't just Democrat. It was a case where we could get together with the 
Congress and do something that was right for people, so that people that 
were born with disabilities would not be shoved off to the side but find 
a way to get instrumentally involved in the system itself to the best of 
their abilities.
    Lamar, do you know the answer on funding, what we're doing on 
special ed? Maybe you could grab the mike. And if you don't, pass it 
over to the Cardinal. [Laughter]
    Secretary Alexander. Two quick points, Mr. President; I'll be glad 
to sit down with the lady afterwards and talk a little more. One is the 
funding for special education has been increased, but not as much as it 
takes to fully fund the law that you've mentioned. The President's top 
budget priority: more new money into Education this year than any other 
Department in the Federal budget.
    Second, there have been big increases in Head Start over the last 4 
years, 127 percent while the Federal budget only went up 25 percent. 
That helps with the early intervention for young children.
    The President. In fact, we have fully funded, I think it's every 4-
year-old, isn't it, eligible 4-year-old.
    Back again? Shoot, Doctor.

[The participant also suggested better dissemination of information to 
local groups to enable them to work for congressional support of the 
national education goals.]

    The President. It's a very broad and difficult question to answer. 
Clearly, citizen participation is going to make a difference. It doesn't 
hurt to start with your own Congressman, regardless of party. It doesn't 
hurt to start with your own Senators. But I think that we do need to do 
a better job, and I would accept full responsibility for this, in 
getting the American people informed.
    Because, you're right, a lot of this has been languishing in the 
Congress. I have a great big battle with the Congress on many, many 
issues. I'm not saying I'm always right, but the result has been, as we 
try to move these kind of things through, and the American people are 
saying there's gridlock, nothing can happen. The way to change that is 
to look at the electoral process. Do not get turned off for politics. If 
you believe in this ``GI bill'' or if you believe in strengthening the 
family or whatever it is, then vote for people that agree with you. Then 
you can dramatically change things.
    So that is the fundamental way to get it done. But how we can 
disseminate information better, that's something that I've got to find 
out because I don't think a lot of people know of the conviction I feel 
on education, on excellence, on choice, and on these very, some would 
say, revolutionary concepts but concepts that ought to be tried.
    So don't give up on the political process is what I'd say.

[A participant urged others to vote for candidates who support 
educational choice.]

    The President. Thank you, sir, very much. I'll make a broad comment 
on that; certainly grateful for what this gentleman said. There's 
disenchantment. But the worst thing to do is to give up: ``So, I'm not 
going to vote. I'm going to sit on the sidelines. Nobody can get 
anything done.'' You look

[[Page 1149]]

around the world today, and the United States is still the envy of the 
entire world. For us to give up on our system because of a frustration, 
we ought not to do that. We have got to do exactly what you've said.
    I am not going to give up on fighting for this. The election offers 
us a great opportunity. I'm not just talking about me; as you said, I'm 
talking about Congress where we must change things. I won't give you my 
political speech about one party controlling the United States Congress 
since 1956. They don't know how to run a post office, and they don't 
know how to run a bank. We need to change that while we're at it.

[A participant said that without financial assistance, her younger 
siblings would be unable to attend Catholic high school.]

    The President. Was there a question, or are you just explaining? If 
there was a question, I am embarrassed to say I couldn't hear it. But I 
did get your statement. Thank you.

[A participant speculated that the collapse of the private school system 
would place a burden on public education.]

    The President. You know how to complicate my life; don't do that. 
You ask a good question. You know, I love the pride that obviously you 
feel in the education you're getting. I love the family feeling around 
here about the importance of providing this kind of education with 
family and faith and all of that as a centerpiece. I mean, that's good.
    As President I've got to look at that, and then I've got to look 
beyond it: What can we do to strengthen all the education in this 
country? They aren't going to crater; these schools are not going to 
crater. The private schools are not going to crater and fall down. 
You've got too much going for you in terms of excellence. And yes, it's 
a strain on the Catholic Church. I was told by a leading businessman in 
Philadelphia coming out here that business people in Philadelphia put up 
something like $75 million, I believe was the fee--not Catholic; others 
put it up there--to support the parochial schools, the private schools 
and parochial schools, because they believed in offering the best 
possible quality education. So don't worry that the whole system is 
going to collapse.
    But as President, and I'm sure everyone here would agree with this, 
it isn't a question of just making these schools better and then denying 
the great public school system in this country. We want to make that 
better. We want to bring change to those marvelous institutions that can 
do a better job. We think this whole concept of choice will improve 
everybody else as well as helping the families.
    So I don't look at it in a catastrophic sense. I look at it in the 
sense of real opportunity to help families here, to help kids here 
achieve what they want to achieve, but not at the expense of the public 
schools. That's the point we've got to make.
    The NEA, that national union, is fighting me on this. They are 
fighting hard, but they are not willing to look at the big picture. 
They're not willing to look at the establishment. Art, sitting at our 
table, was telling me about that. He's a teacher in the public schools, 
and this NEA crowd is fighting any kind of change because they just like 
it the way it's been. I don't like it the way it's been. I want to help 
those public schools get better. I want to see families have their 
choice to send their kids to the schools they want. And that's the 
message. That's the underlying message. So when you hear the big assault 
on us in the fall about this question, please do not be taken in by that 
rhetoric. This is going to enhance education all across the board, in my 
view.
    All right. Are we out of here? Okay, I'm going to violate a rule. 
I've been in politics a long time, half my life in politics, half in 
private life. This lesson I learned in politics: If you take one more 
question, you always get in trouble. But go ahead, what is it? Question, 
not a speech, please, sir. [Laughter]

[A participant stated his support for the President's reelection as the 
best way to address the Nation's problems.]

    The President. That is the exception that proves the rule I was 
talking about. [Laughter]
    Let me say, first of all, thank you. I think I know where you're 
coming from. Even

[[Page 1150]]

Presidents get moved by anecdotes and talk of family like that.
    We do have to win this war against drugs and crime. This gentleman's 
a police officer. We have anticrime legislation--again, I don't want to 
be placing blame, but it is languishing in the House of 
Representatives--that would support the police officers that are laying 
their lives on the line for you and me every single day: more support 
for them, tougher sentencing, a little more respect for the victims of 
crime, and a little less concern about the criminal himself.
    We have got legislation up there that really needs to go now to the 
American people. I'll be doing this in the fall after we get out of this 
funny period we're in now, and say: Do you want to be tougher on this 
crime? Do you want to have, yes, rehabilitation and all of that? Do you 
want to strengthen the families that are threatened when some mother's 
coming home at night on a subway or a bus and the kids waiting there, 
doesn't even know if she's going to make it back there? The answer is we 
do have to be hardnosed and tough against the criminal element and then 
support those and try to rehabilitate some of these kids that are caught 
up in this drug fight.
    We've got a good program called ``Weed and Seed'' that I went over 
with the police chief here before he moved out to California. It weeds 
out of the neighborhoods the criminal elements and then seeds them with 
jobs and hope and opportunity and homeownership and a lot of other 
things.
    So, no Federal program is going to solve it. What's going to solve 
it is what you feel surrounded by family, love, and faith in this room. 
I really mean this. Don't take my word for it; talk to these mayors. How 
do we restructure and strengthen the American family?
    But I will do my level-best to take to the American people the case 
that your comments brought to my mind: Strengthen the family and the 
neighborhoods by protection; do it by education; do it by changing the 
welfare system to have respect for learning and work and not just 
dependency. Then do it in a Christian way, as I would say here in a 
Christian setting, but do it in a way of faith because you've got to 
recognize that a lot of people have had it very, very rough.
    I will end with this, and I hope you understand. Barbara Bush says 
what happens in your house is what's more important than in the White 
House. In a way she's right because what she's talking about there is 
the need to hold these families together, lift these kids up and give 
them the love. Every kid has to have somebody that knows his name. 
Sometimes, in this hopelessness and despair, that doesn't take place.
    So, I really want to help you try to get to the bottom of what 
you've talking about here. It is an odd year. It has not been 
particularly pleasant for me or my family, but I'm a fighter, and I'm 
going to take this case to the American people.
    May God bless all of you. Thank you very, very much.

                    Note: The President spoke at 12:36 p.m. at 
                        Archbishop Ryan High School. In his remarks, he 
                        referred to students Maria Manzoni, a junior at 
                        St. Maria Goretti High School, and Kelly Geiger, 
                        a senior at Roman Catholic High School; and 
                        Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of 
                        Philadelphia.