John Kerry: “let me begin by expressing not just my gratitude, but the gratitude of everybody in the Senate who understands the…”

“let me begin by expressing not just my gratitude, but the gratitude of everybody in the Senate who understands the dynamics of this process, and to my senior colleague from Massachusetts; there is no stronger, more forceful, more committed advocate for the schools of our country than my colleague, Ted Kennedy. I think his work in leading this for weeks now on the floor will speak for itself in the end when we will pass a bill that this country will be proud of--providing, of course, that we ultimately provide the resources necessary to empower this framework to take hold. I salute my colleague for his leadership and thank him for what he has been doing. I also thank my friend from Florida for his gracious comments and for his strict adherence to the common understanding of Webster's Dictionary. These are two amendments which I have offered today with my good friend from Oregon, Senator Gordon Smith. One deals with the quality and supply of our Nation's principals, and one deals with the provision of alternative educational opportunities for chronically violent and disruptive students.”