Political Quotes

“But I challenge them to use that to send some of the 7,500 kids they want to help to parochial schools, as they claim they want to do. This is a political exercise. It has become a political perennial, because it comes every year. This year it is an election year charade. We know it is a charade because the President has promised to veto. If the majority is sincere, I challenge them to sit down with me and write a bill that can be signed. This year a bill of this kind is a real insult because we have a real shot at exponential improvement in the D.C. public schools, finally. One good example is the Summer Stars program about to begin. We will become the first big city school system to eliminate social promotion and replace it not only with a remedial program but with a program in the summer that helps youngsters catch up so they do not fail in the first place. A rigorous academic program is going to be put in place. Our youngsters are going to have to read 25 books next year in order to pass the grade. Want to help? There are ways to make a real difference for the many and not merely the few. It is cruel to raise the expectations of 75 youngsters for 2,000 school vouchers.”