Why does the Department of Transportation have what is really the lead role on a matter of this sort which is really an antitrust issue?

I note that the Department of Transportation is going to be issuing regulations here, and I am a little perplexed as to why the Department of Transportation has the lead role when this is really an antitrust issue.

I would just like to be sure that the real antitrust experts are at work on it, and I thank you for your assurances.

Mr. Pate, at the outset, I thank you for your timely intervention with the Department on a matter of significance in Pennsylvania where we had a bankruptcy sale involving a company called Carbide Graphite, and you had the matter under…

Our only difficulty, candidly, is when the Administration comes in with a lower figure.

Well, you have moved from the area where there had been improvement to your generalization of dissatisfaction.

Is it not pretty important how it impacted on the Hispanic and African American students where there is customarily a greater concern about the quality of education?

The studies show that, as summarized, that there was more parental involvement in the program.

Well, there are frequently changes in reauthorization which do not bear on a determination that the program is ineffective.

But does that say anything about the inadequacy or failure of the discretionary program?

Well, when you talked about a change from discretionary funding to State grants, how is that relevant on the quality of the program?

You have very, very solid Committee support here.

And that African American and Hispanic middle-school students had better grades, had less absenteeism and tardiness?

I think you are a good advertisement for the quality and efficiency and importance of after-school programs.

So I still do not understand the relevancy of your distinction between discretionary and State grants.

I think it is very, very important.

Do not tell this subcommittee what Congress thinks unless you have some factual basis for it. Do you?

No, you said that the Congress as well as the administration--adopted language to the effect of being disappointed in the program, not satisfied with it.