Frank Riggs

I am very comfortable with language that would say that a court order, Federal court order would take precedence over State and local law with respect to bilingual education or State local policy. But, Mr. Chairman, I cannot support an…

Our concern is that we do not want Federal law to necessarily override State law with respect to the day-to-day administration of bilingual education programs. I think the gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez) would acknowledge that…

That mandate is embedded in current law, and what we are trying to do now by proposing reforms to the Federal Bilingual and Immigration Education Acts is to give local school districts more say, more flexibility, more discretion, more…

I am very astounded to hear the gentleman say that our proposed reforms constitute a one-size-fits-all mandate imposed on State and local education agencies. My question to the gentleman... is does he realize that under current Federal…

I do not see how we can support a policy that... facilitates, furthers illegal drug use and actually... puts us as lawmakers... in the position of... engaging in enabling behavior. And, furthermore, it sends the worst possible message that…

So the amendment in its current form is intended to do one thing and one thing only, and that is to prevent the City and County of San Francisco government... from being able to use Federal taxpayer funding... to require that private…

Now that we have struck that note of bipartisan cooperation and agreement, I just want to interject for the Record, and here I think is the clear, and I believe collegial difference between the Democratic Members of the House of…

I believe affirmative action is outdated. Affirmative action, contrary to what several speakers have suggested, is no longer a black and white issue, certainly not in California, the largest, most diverse State in our Union. Because the…

Now, what did the United States 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decide in the Hopwood case? Hopwood v. The University of Texas, I quote: ``The 5th circuit ruled that diversity does not justify preferential admissions based on race.''

I just want to point out how absurd the arguments are in opposition to this, because the District of Columbia is already relying extensively on private schools. This is the Washington Post, April 28, and I quote, ``The District of…

I wish I would have heard a better response to his concerns from the delegate for the District of Columbia than to simply say, try parental choice in the City of Alexandria public schools. It so happens that the City of Alexandria…

The very first thing I want to do is recognize and salute the members of the Committee on the Judiciary and the staff for the very difficult and courageous work that they have done

I just wanted to interject at this point in the debate, colleagues, that as part of my own personal deliberations, in the last 48 hours I have spoken to both former President Ford and Bob Dole

I rise, as I did last night about this time, as the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth, and Families of the Committee on Education to respectfully suggest that if the President of the United States is genuinely…

I am happy to clarify the intent behind section 10306 in the bill. Let me say that it is not our intent to create a disparity in funding or eligibility as to Federal categorical education funds, Federal taxpayer aid for public education…

I think what the gentleman has prepared is very thoughtful and I think we have reached a good bipartisan compromise, and we are prepared to accept his amendment.

I endorse bipartisan efforts in the House to help communities open 3,000 more charter schools in the coming years by giving States incentives to issue more charters. The amendment of the gentleman from Massachusetts would not only remove…

I do want to join with him, Mr. Chairman, in encouraging but not requiring the Department to provide funding for the start-up of charter schools in the State of Rhode Island and other States that have charter school laws on the books today…

I would just explain to my good friend and colleague that the one thing that we do not want to do here is impose even more reporting requirements or regulatory compliance on charter schools. That obviously goes against the whole idea of…

Mr. Speaker, I would go back to what the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Lewis] said. We will let Ms. King's words speak for themselves. She is not only a highly respected civil rights advocate, but she is also a former public and private…

I do not believe that Christian bashing ought to take place on this floor. I deplore the use of the race card and race baiting. I really think it is inappropriate. Mr. Speaker, when African-Americans of childbearing age are polled, 86…

But what this is all about, bottom line, is trying to create bootstrap improvement in the public schools and not lose another generation of D.C. schoolchildren.

I believe it is about challenging public schools to improve as well as giving more opportunity to the families of the District of Columbia.

It is my view, Mr. Chairman, and it is the intent of my amendment, that States should not be forced to spend their very precious and limited Federal and State special education money on education services, special education services, for…