J.C. Watts: “4 years ago I stood here on the floor of the House and voted for an amendment that would have given opportunity…”

“4 years ago I stood here on the floor of the House and voted for an amendment that would have given opportunity scholarships to parents whose kids were in failing schools. Regrettably, that did not pass. I do not know how many boys and girls since then have been failed by poor schools. I do not know how many dropouts would be graduating today with a good education had those scholarships been there to help them. Today we have an opportunity to offer parents a choice and students a chance. This amendment sets up five demonstration programs with parental choice which would help kids get out of violent and failing schools which have a monopoly on many of our children. Children in failing schools deserve better than the status quo. Mr. Chairman, I remind my colleagues that their constituents support parental choice. Once more, African Americans overwhelmingly support parental choice, three out of four in some polls. So, too, should my colleagues on both sides of the aisle support the modest proposal to allow parents to choose what school works best for their children. Frederick Douglass said, "Some people know the importance of education because they have it." He said, "I know the importance of education because I did not have it." Let us not force some kids to come to that sad reality. Let us pass this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote for this amendment, give parents a choice and give students a chance.”