Bill Clinton: “this amendment, offered by myself and Senator Bingaman, will restore funding for vocational education to its 2003…”

“this amendment, offered by myself and Senator Bingaman, will restore funding for vocational education to its 2003 appropriations level for the next 10 years. The chairman's mark cuts this program by 25 percent from its 2003 level. We often talk about education, and many times we act as if every single child in this country is going to go to college and graduate school, and we do not pay enough attention or give due regard to those people who do the technical work that keeps this country going from day to day. The President has proposed a new vocational educational program which will place many new demands on the technical training infrastructure. These lofty goals deserve an adequate investment. Slashing funding by one-quarter will undermine the chances of our high schools and community colleges being able to fulfill their obligations to these students. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to cast this vote in favor of technical vocational education and to support the infrastructure in our high schools and community colleges.”