Bill Clinton: “I rise today to focus the attention of my colleagues and our country on the environmental health and energy efficiency…”

“I rise today to focus the attention of my colleagues and our country on the environmental health and energy efficiency of our Nation's schools. Throughout this debate, we have come to the floor to propose solutions for improving student achievement and ensuring that all of our children are provided with a world-class education. I am very pleased that we have made a lot of progress in coming to consensus on some basic tenets--that all children should be guaranteed an education focused around high academic standards, that every child should be taught by a quality teacher, and that we should hold educators accountable for making sure their students can meet these high standards. There is something we have not yet addressed; that is, to ensure that our children attend schools that are in good working condition and that are conducive to their learning and not detrimental to their health. I was disappointed that we were not successful in our efforts to provide needed Federal support for repairs and renovations to modernize our schools, and we have done a disservice to many of our children. In the State of New York, for example, we have children who attend schools that are in deplorable condition. Approximately 67 percent of all the schools in New York have at least one inadequate building feature.”