Political Quotes

“in the fall of 1957, the United States received a national wake-up call. The Soviet Union launched sputnik into orbit. The space race was on, and we were already behind. Not only were we caught off guard by sputnik, it was suddenly clear that major changes had to be made to preserve our national security and to pull ahead in scientific and technological innovation. One year later, Congress passed landmark legislation, the National Defense Education Act. The purpose of the act was to "strengthen the national defense and to encourage and assist in the expansion and improvement of educational program to meet critical national needs." The National Defense Education Act provided assistance to State and local school systems to strengthen instruction in science, math, foreign languages, and other critical subjects. It also created low-interest student loan programs and fellowships to open the door to higher education to a greater number of young people. This coordinated national effort helped our Nation meet its goals. By 1969, Americans had landed on the Moon. The United States was the most technologically advanced Nation in the world. A new generation of highly skilled mathematicians, scientists, and technology experts staffed laboratories, universities, and Federal agencies. Colleges and universities had established centers for foreign language study and research. Sadly, this Nation received another wake-up call on September 11, 2001.…”