John Tierney: “I am pleased to stand here before you today to voice my support for this legislation, the Employment, Training &…”

“I am pleased to stand here before you today to voice my support for this legislation, the Employment, Training & Literacy Enhancement Act of 1997. The Committee on Education and the Workforce, on which I serve, has made considerable efforts to defuse partisan tensions and pass important legislation that will help our children and working families. It has done so on two occasions-- most recently having passed the IDEA Bill for disability education and now by passing this legislation that is before us today for consideration. I applaud all of my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, for the spirit of cooperation that has made this possible. This bill streamlines and integrates job training and employment programs, while increasing access to adult education and literacy services. It also strengthens the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. I speak first and foremost of the effect this bill will have on adult basic education--a most vital and sorely neglected field in education today. I am pleased that adult education remains part of the Elementary and Secondary Act.”