Lucille Roybal-Allard: “one of the priorities of the Clinton administration and congressional Democrats is improving education. Democrats…”

“one of the priorities of the Clinton administration and congressional Democrats is improving education. Democrats recognize that the future of this country depends upon ensuring that all American children receive a high quality education that prepares them for the jobs of the 21st century. Democrats believe that every public school must be a place where facilities are up to date and in good repair, where classrooms are not overcrowded, where the environment is safe and drug-free, where students have adequate textbooks and computers, and where teachers are well-qualified. This is why Democrats are once again promoting an aggressive, comprehensive agenda to strengthen and improve our Nation's public schools. This evening, I would like to highlight a key component of the 1999 Democratic education agenda, the school modernization initiative. This initiative will help address the tragic conditions of overcrowded and crumbling American schools. Sadly, Mr. Speaker, thousands of our public school children are trying to learn in schools that are overcrowded and in desperate need of repair.”