    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [October 14, 1993]
    [Page 1747]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Action by the House of Representatives on Education Reform
    Legislation
    October 14, 1993

        I am pleased by last night's overwhelming vote in the House of
    Representatives in favor of my Goals 2000 education reform bill. This
    bill takes an important step towards codifying into law the national
    education goals.
        Goals 2000 invites every State to participate in true systemic
    reform and will serve as the cornerstone of my administration's efforts
    to create a world-class system of education and training with high
    expectations and opportunities for every child.
        I want to thank Chairmen Bill Ford and Dale Kildee and other
    Democratic members of the Education and Labor committee, whose
    experienced leadership and cooperation across party lines were crucial
    to attaining this important victory.
        I am especially gratified by the broad bipartisan support that Goals
    2000 enjoys. I want to thank the many distinguished Republicans,
    starting with Representatives Bill Goodling and Steve Gunderson, who
    worked hard over many months to improve this bill and who spoke out so
    forcefully on its behalf yesterday. And I congratulate Secretary of
    Education Riley and Secretary of Labor Reich, whose unswerving
    commitment and effective advocacy were essential.
        The enactment of my comprehensive education and training agenda is
    crucial to achieving an economy that can compete effectively in world
    markets and create high-skill, high-wage jobs for all Americans. I urge
    the Senate to bring this legislation to the floor as quickly as possible
    and approve it with bipartisan support.
        It will be a great day for the children of America and for all
    Americans when I am able to sign Goals 2000 into law.