Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I would like to offer my support for Mr. Barrett's amendment to the Drug Free Schools and Community Act. This amendment addresses two areas that are of great concern to my district and the State of Michigan. First, this amendment would reinstate the Governor's discretionary fund at a level of 20 percent, a fund which the Owens proposal eliminates. In my State of Michigan, this fund is currently used to run programs for children in the most needy communities through a competitive process. The Owens proposal would disburse these funds among over 500 school districts, rich and poor alike, and spread resources too thinly to continue current grant services. I have heard an outcry from both the educational community and parents who are upset about the loss of the programs operated by the Governor's fund. One such program is the Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or DARE program. My daughter participated in the program last year. The Governor's fund has, among other projects, supported the State DARE training school and administrative offices. Without this fund, local districts will not have the resources to set up their own training schools and the program will almost certainly end.”