    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 25 (Monday, June 26, 2000)]
    [Page 1446]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement on Proposed School Modernization Legislation

    June 22, 2000

        Every year that Congress stalls on passing critical school
    modernization legislation is another year our children have to go to
    class in trailers, in crowded classrooms, in crumbling schools. A new
    U.S. Department of Education survey of the condition of American schools
    gives cause for concern. Rising enrollments and years of deferred
    maintenance have taken a serious toll, jeopardizing our children's
    health and the quality of their education. According to the report, our
    schools require $127 billion in repairs and 3.5 million students attend
    school in buildings that need to be replaced altogether.
        Children cannot learn in crumbling schools. It is clear that
    additional resources are needed to accommodate record enrollments and
    allow smaller classes. I have called on Congress to enact my proposal to
    repair 25,000 schools over the next 5 years. In addition, I have
    proposed a school construction tax cut that would help communities build
    and modernize 6,000 schools. Representatives Charles Rangel and Nancy
    Johnson have introduced legislation to do just that. While there is
    broad bipartisan support for this key school modernization legislation,
    congressional leaders have refused to even bring it to a vote. Congress
    should act now to give all our children the safe, modern, world-class
    schools they deserve.