William R. Richardson: “teenagers throughout the United States are dropping out of school. At a crime forum I held in New Mexico, parents…”

“teenagers throughout the United States are dropping out of school. At a crime forum I held in New Mexico, parents expressed their fear that more and more teenagers are joining gangs and are not interested in getting a good education. The time has come, Mr. Speaker, to answer our constituents by giving students a reason to want to stay in school and off the streets. I rise today to introduce the Student and Business Partnership for Credit Act of 1994. This bill gives community businesses a tax credit if they participate in an educational program. The educational program gives a high school junior or senior the chance to work with a local business in return for academic credit. In turn, the business must closely supervise the student. Mr. Speaker, students who are tempted to drop out of school may be persuaded to stay in school if they are permitted to receive real work experience. These students will stay in school, work with businesses, and say no to gangs. Businesses will receive a tax credit that they desperately deserve. I urge my colleagues to support our students and to support the Student and Business Partnership for Credit Act of 1994.”