Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, this amendment seems to be terribly misguided, particularly when it comes to striking out funds for libraries, school libraries, to purchase books. We in this country have had, fortunately, a historically long-term regard for education, for libraries, and for books, going back to Jefferson, who said, ``I cannot live without books.'' The sad truth is that today too many children in our schools are living without up-to-date modern books, and too many schools are unable to purchase the new means of communication, the computer programs, and the advanced media materials. This legislation would give our schools the chance to do that, and I cannot think of a wiser investment than giving local schools resources to buy books and buy materials so that young people can learn. Let me just step back historically. There was a targeted library acquisition provision in the original Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. That is why the copyright average date of school books in the United States is about 1965, because the Federal Government was able to assist the communities in exactly the right kind of partnership.”