Political Quotes

“today I am introducing the A Million Quality Teachers Act. Thomas Jefferson once observed that of all the bills in the federal code, ``by far the most important is that for the diffusion of knowledge among the people. ``No surer foundation,'' he said, ``can be devised for the preservation of freedom and happiness.'' President Bush has reminded us of the importance of education as well. In his Inauguration Speech, he urged all of us to work together to rebuild our nation's education system: ``Together we will reclaim America's schools, before ignorance and apathy claim more young lives.'' As President Bush himself noted in that same speech, ``While many of our citizens prosper, others doubt the promise, even the justice, of our own country. The ambitions of some Americans are limited by failing schools, and hidden prejudice, and the circumstances of their birth.'' Our current foundation of elementary and secondary education is grossly inadequate to enable American children of all income levels and backgrounds to best realize the ``American dream'' and the economic freedoms that the ``American dream'' encapsulates. Most companies dismiss the value of a high school diploma. Twelfth grade students in the United States rank near the very bottom on international comparisons in math and science.…”