    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [March 5, 1999]
    [Page 321]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Kennedy-Murray Amendments to Proposed Education
    Flexibility Partnership Legislation
    March 5, 1999

        I strongly support the efforts of Senators Murray and Kennedy to offer a
    class size amendment to the ed-flex bill. We must make a long-term
    commitment now to hire 100,000 new, well-prepared teachers to reduce
    class size in the early grades. The Republican leadership is wrong to
    try to shut down debate on this bill before a class size amendment can
    be voted on. I urge them to allow an up-or-down vote on this amendment,
    and I urge every Senator to vote for it.