Political Quotes

“I rise in support of Representative Armey's amendment to H.R. 6. I was pleased to support the Ford amendment which was a step in the right direction. Improving our education system should be a national priority, and I strongly support efforts to assist localities in providing the best possible education for their children. However, I am opposed to increasing Federal control of our school systems and adding another layer of bureaucracy. In its current form, H.R. 6 not only threatens the independence of private education, but poses a potential blow to those who choose to educate their children at home. Mr. Armey's amendment would do away with this threat by specifying that the bill not impose additional constraints on home, private, or religious schools that do not receive funds under the act. As a former board member of the Duval Public Education Foundation, I know first-hand that bureaucrats make poor teachers. The Federal Government's role in education should be one of setting standards and providing resources, not dictating details which are better decided at the most immediate level--in communities, in classrooms and-- especially--by parents.”