Robert Torricelli: “Mr. President, in my brief tenure in this institution I have never felt more motivated on an individual amendment and in…”

“Mr. President, in my brief tenure in this institution I have never felt more motivated on an individual amendment and in addressing a higher national priority than endorsing and speaking today on the amendment of Carol Moseley-Braun regarding school finance. She has made an enormous contribution to this institution. Mr. President, like every Member of this Senate, I share the priority of balancing the Federal budget. It is due, it is required, and it is essential. We do no service to the country, however, if in our desire to balance the Federal budget we also lose sight of all other Federal priorities. Balancing the Federal budget is important, but it is not the only business of this country. It is noteworthy that the principle contribution in reducing the Federal debt in recent years has come from neither reducing spending nor raising taxes. It is the unmistakable result of a growing, expanding economy. The amendment before the Senate is relevant and not an obstacle to reducing the debt of the U.S. Government because education is the foundation of an expanding economy. My goal is not simply to see us balance the Federal budget for the next few years but for the next generation. That is unachievable in a Nation with a $100 billion inventory of crumbling schools, schools which cannot teach modern technology, where children cannot even sit safely in a classroom.”