[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 49 (Monday, December 11, 2000)]
[Page 2964]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

December 2, 2000

    Good morning. Congress is on its way back to Washington after an 
extended break. It is very important that we get right back to business 
and fulfill our responsibility to give our children a world-class 
education.
    Earlier this year I sent Congress a budget that would make vital 
investments in education, a budget that puts our children first by 
investing more in our schools and demanding more from them; by 
modernizing old schools, building new ones, reducing class sizes; by 
hiring more well-prepared teachers, expanding after-school programs, and 
turning around failing schools. That was way back in February. Ten 
months have passed since then; three seasons have turned; and Congress 
decided to break for the election without passing an education budget.
    But this week Congress returns to session with still time to get the 
job done. Congress should pass the education budget as its first order 
of business. Fortunately, we're already standing on common ground. When 
Congress left town, we had already reached an historic agreement with 
members of both parties. A broad, bipartisan coalition has pledged to 
provide much-needed funding to reduce class size, to provide crucial 
repairs for crumbling schools, to improve teacher quality, to expand 
Head Start, after-school programs, Pell grants, and support for students 
with disabilities. I hope when Congress comes back, these commitments to 
our children will be kept.
    Even in the final days of this session, Congress should remember 
those first, fundamental obligations. Now is not the time to walk away 
from the agreement we made, especially so close to the finish line.
    A lot is at stake here--the condition of our schools, the quality of 
our teachers, most important, the education of our children. Today I'm 
releasing a report that shows exactly what's at stake for the children 
in all 50 states. If Congress fails to pass the bipartisan education 
budget, California, for example, stands to lose almost three-quarters of 
a billion dollars in additional funds. New York could lose more than $40 
million for more after-school and summer school programs alone. Illinois 
could lose nearly $70 million in added support for students with 
disabilities.
    With America facing the largest student enrollment in history and 
with an historic agreement so close to conclusion, there's no reason why 
we shouldn't work together across party lines to get this job done. If 
we do, we can complete this year's unfinished business and continue the 
work of preparing our Nation to meet the challenges of the years to 
come.
    We can also meet our other pressing priorities, from the health of 
our families to the safety of our neighborhoods, and ensure that we 
continue to expand the circle of opportunity until it embraces Americans 
from every corner of our country and every walk of life.
    The holiday season is the perfect time to reflect on the values that 
unite us. As families, there's nothing we hold more dear than our 
children. As a nation, there is nothing more important to our future 
than our children and their education. As every parent knows, a good 
education is a gift that keeps on giving for a lifetime. So let's join 
together, two parties but one country, to give our children the schools, 
the teachers, and the future they deserve.
    Thanks for listening.

Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from the Oval Office at the 
White House.