Robert Torricelli: “In the last few weeks this Senate has begun to focus on what is, by any measure, the most pressing issue before the…”

“In the last few weeks this Senate has begun to focus on what is, by any measure, the most pressing issue before the country; and that is simply the quality of education for America's schoolchildren. It is a quality-of-life issue. It is an economic issue. It is even a national security issue. A great nation cannot long endure in its position if the quality of education for its children is not paramount. You cannot lead economically, socially, culturally, or even militarily for long if you do not lead in the quality of education for your children. This reality, I believe, has focused the Senate's attention on funding standards and quality of education. I believe the debate has been promising. The Senate adopted the Dodd amendment to authorize a $132 billion increase over 10 years in title I aid to poor schools. Currently, the Federal Government provides school districts with only one-third of the assistance for which they are eligible. Under the Dodd measure, by 2011, they will receive 100 percent of the assistance they both need and require. The Senate adopted the Harkin amendment to meet our Federal commitment to special education by guaranteeing $181 billion over 10 years for IDEA.”