David Durenberger: “I rise to oppose the amendment offered by our distinguished colleague from North Carolina which prohibits the use of…”

“I rise to oppose the amendment offered by our distinguished colleague from North Carolina which prohibits the use of Federal funds for programs which distribute condoms in schools without parental consent. I want to make it clear, Mr. President, that I also intend to support an amendment by our distinguished colleague from Massachusetts which encourages parental participation in school-based programs which distribute condoms or other family planning information. My reasons for these votes, Mr President, reflect both my views on the proper Federal Government role in deciding what goes on in local schools and the experience that my own State has had in dealing with these highly emotional and controversial issues. There are some exceptions, Mr. President, regarding fundamental human rights. But, in general, I do not believe we at the national level should be telling local schools boards and communities how to run their schools. We should encourage the establishment of high standards--and that's exactly what we're doing in this bill. And, we should set up ways of holding schools accountable for meeting those standards. But, in general, Mr. President, I believe the best thing we're doing in this bill is making it easier to "get out of the way"--to replace cumbersome and unneeded Federal mandates with new ways of holding schools accountable for what students actually learn.”