Jolene Unsoeld: “I ask my colleagues to support my amendment to the Hancock amendment to H.R. 6. The Hancock amendment once more would…”

“I ask my colleagues to support my amendment to the Hancock amendment to H.R. 6. The Hancock amendment once more would give the Federal Government jurisdiction over curriculum decisions. What with all of the discussion we have heard in this bill about no Federal mandates, it seems absolutely crazy to even consider giving the Federal Government this control. My amendment clarifies that restrictions contained in the amendment apply only to funds provided under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and that it does not apply to the use of local funds. The amendment also clarifies that nothing in this section shall interfere with the rights of local communities to select curriculum appropriate to the needs of the children in their communities. Decisions regarding curriculum choices are best left to local school officials and local elected school board members. Education has always been a local matter. To change that now because of the gentleman from Missouri's, Mr. Hancock's obsession or fear over prohomosexual propaganda is not only misplaced, it would be illegal. The Hancock amendment violates a basic principle of the general Education Provisions Act and the Department of Education Organization Act that states that the Federal Government cannot exercise any direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum or program of instruction of any educational institution.”