Timothy Roemer: “Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 6 and would begin my comments by heaping accolades on the gentleman from…”

“Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 6 and would begin my comments by heaping accolades on the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Kildee] and his staff and the entire staff of the Committee on Education and Labor for their hard work and diligence. I would also like to commend the gentleman from Michigan [Chairman Ford]. I think his legacy is served by this legislation and by legislation like direct loans and Goals 2000. Mr. Chairman, last year the House Education and Labor Committee began the task of reexamining the Federal Government's programs to assist elementary and secondary schools in our Nation. The committee 13 months ago began crafting a comprehensive reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 that provides local education agencies with more freedom in how they use Federal education dollars. In exchange for this flexibility, we will now demand greater educational achievements in our Nation's schools. We are not saying unfunded mandates, we are not requiring States to do all kinds of new things; we are challenging our schools and our teachers, going into this new century, to meet some higher standards.”