Jon S. Corzine: “I warmly endorse the comments of the senior Senator from Connecticut. As always, he is spot on with his analysis, and…”

“I warmly endorse the comments of the senior Senator from Connecticut. As always, he is spot on with his analysis, and his point with regard to the Gregg amendment, which I strongly oppose, is exactly where I think we should come out. Although I commend the author and supporters of the amendment for their concern about low-performing schools, I believe this amendment is misguided because it would undermine the public education system that is the very tie that binds our society. I encourage the authors to show their passion to improve our poor-performing public schools by fully resourcing those proven initiatives that will change failed schools. Mr. President, 90 percent of our children attend public schools. As our Nation becomes increasingly diverse--my State, in particular, is blessed with incredible diversity--our public schools continue their fundamental purpose of uniting Americans while providing every child with the opportunity to succeed. That must be our mission--our passion. The availability of quality public education for all is defining to America's democracy. If we adopt this vouchers measure, we would drain limited resources from our public schools and send a signal that we are prepared to erode the historical purpose and position of public education in America. Much of the debate around vouchers is about choice. But the choice inherent in any vouchers proposal is false, meaningless choice.”