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O Originally Processed With FOIA(s): FOIA Number: S S FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential Library Staff. Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records Collection/Office of Origin: Speechwriting, White House Office of Series: Speech File Backup Files Subseries: Chron File, 1989-1993 OA/ID Number: 13820 Folder ID Number: 13820-005 Folder Title: G.I. Bill for Children 6/25/92 [OA 7575] Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: G 26 22 6 3 THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release June 25, 1992 REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN CEREMONY FOR G.I. BILL OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILDREN The South Lawn 10:20 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Welcome, all. Hey, we're glad you guys are here. Welcome, welcome, and pleased be seated. All you kids, welcome to the South Lawn of the White House. And to the Vice President and Mrs. Quayle and Secretary Alexander, a warm welcome. A particularly warm welcome to the members of Congress, both House and Senate, that are with us today. Welcome to all of you, our very special guests, on this special occasion. I have just come from a working session in the White House, working with some of the great experts on school choice. And the parents, I think, made the most significant contribution to our working session because their dreams for their kids are the same dreams that all of us have. And they want their kids to have a first-class education. And they know from practical experience that a good education is absolutely essential to making a good living and to making a good life. So let me just share a little from that meeting. Janette Williams told me about her son, Javon. The Williamses are here with us somewhere here today -- whoops, here she is over here. Her kid starred on 60 Minutes, and that says something about the guy. If you go on that program and come off in one piece, he must be doing real well. (Laughter.) But she gave us -- here's what she said -- and this is serious. She said: "At his old school that was crowded, he used to get so bored that he would walk out. And thanks to the choice program in Milwaukee, he's at a new school. And he's not doing those things anymore. He's doing his homework; he's even helping clean up the classroom after school. And they took the energy and turned it around." Now, the Governor here, Tommy Thompson, the Governor of Wisconsin, is here with us today. I'm sorry that Polly Williams, who's been at the forefront of the school choice movement couldn't be here, but she's at home looking after her mother. I would salute her values, but we miss her very, very much. Together, Polly and Tommy Thompson, the Governor, have taken the lead in helping parents like Janette Williams realize her dreams for her son Javon -- creating scholarships for 1,000 Milwaukee children from low-income families so that they can attend private schools. Now, theirs is a bold experiment, to give low-income families more of the same choices of schools already available to wealthier families. Mike Joyce of the Bradley Foundation was also in our meeting. And Bradley recently joined with other foundations and Milwaukee businesses to raise $3 million dollars so that Milwaukee's low-income families will be able to choose their family's schools, including the religious schools. Mike told us this morning that parents picked up every one of the 4,500 scholarship applications, the day after the scholarships were announced -- 4,500, that fast. And don't let anybody tell you that the people of Milwaukee don't care about their kids' education. No one should underestimate what's at stake here. A revolution is underway in Milwaukee and across this country, a MORE - 2 - revolution to make American schools the best in the world. And I salute out Secretary of Education who is helping lead that revolution, Lamar Alexander. (Applause.) Together with the nation's governors, we've set six ambitious national education goals. And I might say that this wasn't a partisan move; Democrats and Republicans alike of the governors coming together to set six ambitious national education goals. And in 44 states and 1,400 communities, we've already launched America 2000 to meet these goals. Even earlier, still, in January 1989, just before I was sworn-in as President, we helped organize the White House Conference on Choice in Education. We believed then and we believe today, a few fundamental truths. We believe that parents are their children's first teachers. (Applause.) Parents, not bureaucrats, know what's best for their kids. And at this point I would like to salute one of the two in purple, Barbara Bush -- (laughter) -- for her pointing this out to parents. That it's what they do, what happens in their home. (Applause.) And Barbara's done a lot of that here and around the country. And I might say that Marilyn Quayle's taking that same message of parental involvement all across our country, and we're very grateful to her. (Applause.) So it is our belief, then, that parents, not the government, should choose their children's schools. And so today I am proposing that we take another giant step forward in this revolution. And I am sending to Congress legislation that would authorize an amibitious demonstration program, a $1.5 billion new federal dollars to help communities all across America give $1,000 scholarships to children of middle and low- income families, so they can choose which schools their kids will attend. (Applause.) This revolution is in the greatest American tradition, and we've done it before and it's worked. Forty-eight years ago this very week, President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill, creating scholarships that veterans could use at any college -- any college of their choice. The GI Bill created opportunity for Americans who never would have had it, and in doing so it helped create the best system of colleges and universities in the world. And now we can do that again, this time by helping state and local governments -- and we're delighted the Mayor of Milwaukee is with us here today -- this time by helping state and local governments create the best elementary and secondary schools in the world. The GI Bill for children will help. It'll provide that help to these families. These dollars to spend at the schools of their choice will become the muscle that parents need to create the best schools for their kids. Let me say to those who will attack our school choice initiative on the ground that it permits government money to go to religious schools, you're wrong. I believe those critics are wrong. This is aid to the families, not aid to institutions. (Applause.) And, again, if you set the clock back to the creation of that original GI Bill, no one told the GIs that they couldn't go to SMU or Notre Dame or Yeshiva or Howard. I haven't heard members of Congress suggest that students stop using Pell Grants and guaranteed student loans at Baptist colleges or Presbyterian seminaries. I don't hear an outcry because poor children at Catholic schools get their lunch paid for by federal taxpayers. In the same way, parents must be free to use this money at the school they believe will best teach their child, whether that school is public, private or religious. (Applause.) MORE - 3 - Let me try to be clear on this point: Accepting students with vouchers does not mean a school must sacrifice school prayer. And let me say this to those who stand against extending school choice to low-and middle-income families: I simply do not buy the idea that someone cannot make a good decision just because that person is poor. (Applause.) We heard the same argument when we proposed child care vouchers for low-income families, or when we proposed help for public housing tenants to own their own homes. And so it's my belief that we ought to let families own their own home and choose their own schools regardless of their income level -- and give them help. (Applause.) Give them a shot at the American Dream, if you will. And finally, to those who claim that school choice will hurt the public schools, let me underscore this point: All of this new money can go to public schools if that's where the child chooses to go -- where the family choose to have the kid go. And that decision will be in the hands of families -- where it belongs. There are several points to make about money. First, I want to make it clear that we're not talking here about a new federal entitlement program. The federal government cannot afford one more entitlement, even for education. And I've said many times that money alone isn't the answer. The United States already spends more per student for schools than any country in the world except Switzerland. And I don't have to tell you where we stand in the international rankings of educational performance at the level we're talking about here today. Our universities and colleges are respected and have achieved the highest levels of achievement. But that, unfortunately, is not true as we talk about K-12. So we need a revolution in American education -- not more money to do it the same old way. Investment in our schools will remain a primarily state and local responsibility. But federal support for state and local scholarships can be a catalyst. For schools that attract choice students, it will give teachers and principals a welcome source of new funds. And for our children, choice can help open up opportunities, create genuine change in our schools. For too long, we've shielded schools from competition -- allowed our schools a damaging monopoly power over our children. And this monopoly turns students into statistics and turns parents into pawns. And it is time we began thinking of a system of public education in which many providers offer a marketplace of opportunities opportunities that give all of our children choices and access to the best education in the world. (Applause.) And so it is our firm belief it is our firm belief that this GI Bill for Children will move America inevitably in that direction. Abraham Lincoln once said: "Revolutions do not go backward." Milwaukee is not the only place in America that our revolution is underway. Last year in Indianapolis, Pat Rooney and the Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust began to offer tuition vouchers to Indianapolis students. And I understand a busload of parents and students drove all night to be here today. And if you're still awake, welcome -- a special welcome to all of you. (Applause.) In San Antonio, the CEO Foundation has earmarked $1.5 million in vouchers for children in their community. California -- Joe Alibrandi and thousands of supporters are pushing for a ballot initiative to provide voucher scholarships for every school-age child in the state. And overall, in 1991, 10 states approved some form of new choice legislation. And 37 states had choice legislation pending in one form or another. MORE - 4 - And I've been told that there may just be a few folks here from Pennsylvania. (Applause.) We're outnumbered. Well, it may take a few tries, but I never underestimate the persistence of parents: The Children of Pennsylvania will have school choice. (Applause.) From California to East Harlem, from coast to coast, the leaders of the school choice movement are sparking a revolution in American education. And they're the true heroes of this education reform, and some of them are here with us today. They aren't afraid to stand up to the status quo -- to say, loud and clear, that when it comes to educating our kids, business-as-usual simply isn't good enough. (Applause.) Let there be no mistake: Barbara and I and the Vice President and Marilyn, and certainly our Secretary, are very proud to stand with you. You see, this revolution will succeed. And it will succeed because it draws its strength from the very heart of the American creed. We have no truth more enduring than the idea that every American should have the opportunity for a first-class education. We have no principles more important than freedom, opportunity and choice. (Applause.) So thank you very, very much. And look at it this way, you're doing the Lord's work for our nation's future. And you're doing for the young people of this country. (Applause.) And we are grateful to all of you. And may God bless the United States. And now I will sign this. (Applause.) END 10:35 A.M. EDT Spending (Dept. of Education -- OPBE) The U.S. already spends more per pupil on elementary and secondary education than most other countries. The U.S. already spends more per pupil on elementary and secondary education than any of our competitors -- except Switzerland. Public Affairs Berea,ty. mandating student 606,-986-9341 labor [Ed Foral Din Public Relation 2 No tuition 7. for any student that applies only for low income situation 7income diliys sizable endown raise 3 on mill per year 1500 students Colley Borea SEREA 1 is lity 1. Berea John fab and at w FACT WECIL FACT: CHECIL yenner thitak / June 18, 1992 MEMORANDUM FOR AF1 FROM: JAG SUBJECT: "G.I. BILL FOR KIDS" I've got calls in to Arsht and Rae, we'll see what they have. Meanwhile. QUOTES 1) "The nation's most valuable asset is the children; for the children are the nation of the future. All people alive to the nation's need should join together to work for the moral, spiritual, and physical welfare of the children in all parts of our land." --Theodore Roosevelt. 2) ***A woman in Chicago told Vice President Quayle: "We are tire of schools that are nothing more than factories for failure." 3) "U.S. educational policy over the past three decades has been a massive experiment that has tested whether spending more money will result in better-educated students. The results are in. The experiment has failed." --John Chubb, Brookings. JUNE 25 IN HISTORY 1) George Orwell's birthday (I can't think of any quotes that would really be appropriate). *FYI: it's also Sidney Lumet's birthday. 2) Thirty years ago, on the very day of the speech, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that prayer in public shools is unconstitutional. 45. G. I. Bill of Rights There would also be an international court of justice to deal primarily with justiciable disputes. We are not thinking of a superstate with its own police forces and other paraphernalia of coercive power. We are seeking effec- tive agreement and arrangements through which the Nations would maintain, according to their capacities, adequate forces to meet the needs of preventing war and of making impossible de- liberate preparation for war, and to have such forces available for joint action when necessary. All this, of course, will become possible once our present enemies are defeated and effective arrangements are made to prevent them from making war again. Beyond that, the hope of a peaceful and advancing world will rest upon the willingness and ability of the peace-loving Nations, large and small, bearing responsibility commensurate with their individual capacities, to work together for the maintenance of peace and security. 45 The President Signs the G. I. Bill of Rights. June 22 1944 THIS bill, which I have signed today, substantially carries out most of the recommendations made by me in a speech on July 28, 1943, and more specifically in messages to the Congress dated October 27, 1943, and November 23, 1943: 1. It gives servicemen and women the opportunity of resum- ing their education or technical training after discharge, or of taking a refresher or retrainer course, not only without tuition charge up to $500 per school year, but with the right to receive a monthly living allowance while pursuing their studies. 2. It makes provision for the guarantee by the Federal Gov- ernment of not to exceed 50 percent of certain loans made to veterans for the purchase or construction of homes, farms, and business properties. 3. It provides for reasonable unemployment allowances pay- 180 45. G. I. Bill of Rights of justice to deal able each week up to a maximum period of one year, to those veterans who are unable to find a job. own police forces 4. It establishes improved machinery for effective job counsel- : are seeking effec- ing for veterans and for finding jobs for returning soldiers and hich the Nations sailors. adequate forces to 5. It authorizes the construction of all necessary additional .ng impossible de- hospital facilities. h forces available 6. It strengthens the authority of the Veterans Administra- tion to enable it to discharge its existing and added responsibil- once our present ities with promptness and efficiency. ents are made to With the signing of this bill a well-rounded program of special veterans' benefits is nearly completed. It gives emphatic notice ancing world will to the men and women in our armed forces that the American ce-loving Nations, people do not intend to let them down. nsurate with their By prior legislation, the Federal Government has already pro- e maintenance of vided for the armed forces of this war: adequate dependency allowances; mustering-out pay; generous hospitalization, medical care, and vocational rehabilitation and training; liberal pensions in case of death or disability in military service; substantial war- Bill of Rights. risk life insurance, and guaranty of premiums on commercial policies during service; protection of civil rights and suspension of enforcement of certain civil liabilities during service; emer- itially carries out gency maternal care for wives of enlisted men; and reemploy- a speech on July ment rights for returning veterans. he Congress dated This bill therefore and the former legislation provide the special benefits which are due to the members of our armed ortunity of resum- r discharge, or of forces - for they "have been compelled to make greater economic ly without tuition sacrifice and every other kind of sacrifice than the rest of us, and e right to receive are entitled to definite action to help take care of their special eir studies. problems." While further study and experience may suggest some the Federal Gov- changes and improvements, the Congress is to be congratulated in loans made to on the prompt action it has taken. homes, farms, and There still remains one recommendation which I made on November 23, 1943, which I trust that the Congress will soon it allowances pay- adopt - the extension of social security credits under the Federal 181 45. G. I. Bill of Rights Old-Age and Survivors' Insurance Law to all servicemen and women for the period of their service. I trust that the Congress will also soon provide similar oppor- tunities for postwar education and unemployment insurance to the members of the merchant marine, who have risked their lives time and again during this war for the welfare of their country. But apart from these special benefits which fulfill the special needs of veterans, there is still much to be done. As I stated in my message to the Congress of November 23, 1943, "What our servicemen and women want, more than anything else, is the assurance of satisfactory employment upon their return to civil life. The first task after the war is to provide employment for them and for our demobilized workers. The goal after the war should be the maxi- mum utilization of our human and material resources." As a related problem the Congress has had under considera- tion the serious problem of economic reconversion and readjust- ment after the war, so that private industry will be able to provide jobs for the largest possible number. This time we have wisely begun to make plans in advance of the day of peace, in full con- fidence that our war workers will remain at their essential war jobs as long as necessary until the fighting is over. The executive branch of the Government has taken, and is taking, whatever steps it can, until legislation is enacted. I am glad to learn that the Congress has agreed on a bill to facilitate the prompt settlement of terminated contracts. I hope that the Congress will also take prompt action, when it reconvenes, on necessary legislation which is now pending to facilitate the de- velopment of unified programs for the demobilization of civilian war workers, for their reemployment in peacetime pursuits, and for provision, in cooperation with the States, of appropriate un- employment benefits during the transition from war to peace. I hope also that the Congress, upon its return, will take prompt action on the pending legislation to facilitate the orderly disposi- tion of surplus property. A sound postwar economy is a major present responsibility. 1 8 2 45. G. I. Bill of Rights ill servicemen and NOTE: The President laid the sistence allowances of $65 per basis for the G. I. Bill of Rights in month for veterans without de- vide similar oppor- November, 1942, when he ap- pendents, and $90 per month if vet- pointed a committee of educators ment insurance to erans had one or more dependents to study the problem of education were provided under the terms of ve risked their lives and training of veterans of the the original Act (these subsistence e of their country. armed forces (see Item 122 and note, allowances were increased by later 1 fulfill the special 1942 volume, and Item 118 and legislation). Specified deductions done. note, 1943 volume, for an account were made from the subsistence al- of November 23, of the early steps taken by the lowances if the veteran had a full- President to provide for the post- or part-time job while attending war education of war veterans). school. Provision was also made to han anything else, is Under the terms of the G. I. Bill assist in the financing of on-the-job ir return to civil life. of Rights, as amended, veterans with and apprentice training of veter- ent for them and for at least ninety days of active service ans, including payment for tools r should be the maxi- part of which was between Sep- and equipment. :ces." tember 15, 1940, and July 25, 1947, The Veterans Administration could qualify for education or train- d under considera- lent no money directly under the ing, regardless of age or previous G. I. Bill of Rights, but guaranteed rsion and readjust- education. An individual was eligi- or insured payment to the lender 1 be able to provide ble if discharged for a disability when veterans made certain types me we have wisely incurred in service or if the dis- of loans from banks, building and peace, in full con- charge was other than dishonorable. loan associations, public and pri- their essential war Education or training was allowed vate lending agencies and, in some for one year plus the time served in circumstances, from individuals. In over. the armed forces up to a total of the case of home real estate, the has taken, and is four calendar years. Veterans were Veterans Administration guaran- n is enacted. I am allowed to choose any school ap- teed or insured loans up to certain a bill to facilitate proved by State authorities or amounts to buy or build a veteran's ts. I hope that the the Veterans Administration, in- residence; to make repairs, altera- 1 it reconvenes, on cluding trade, business, and indus- tions, or improvements on the vet- trial schools, any grade from ele- 0 facilitate the de- eran's home; or to buy or build a mentary schools through universi- dwelling to be partly rented to ilization of civilian ties, or farm schools. others, and partly used by the etime pursuits, and For each qualified veteran, the veteran as his or her residence. In of appropriate un- Veterans Administration paid up regard to farm real estate, the rom war to peace. to $500 per school year for tuition Veterans Administration also guar- 1, will take prompt and for books, supplies, equipment, anteed or insured loans within cer- and fees required of all students in the orderly disposi- tain fixed limits to buy land or the same course; this sum was paid purchase or build buildings for directly to the teaching institutions. veterans' farming operations; and sent responsibility. To assist in living expenses, sub- for the improvement of land, or 183 45. G. I. Bill of Rights major repairs, alterations, or im- The G. I. Bill of Rights also pro- provements of farm buildings. In vided for unemployment insurance addition, loans for the purchase of up to a maximum of $20 per week business real estate or to make for 52 weeks. It included readjust- major repairs, alterations, or im- ment allowances for unemployed provements on buildings could also or partially employed veterans and be guaranteed or insured by the for veterans in business for them- Veterans Administration, and un- selves but with a net income of less der certain conditions loans to re- than $100 a month. finance defaulted debts on real As of March 31, 1949, the Vet- estate or to pay overdue taxes on erans Administration reported that property could be guaranteed or about 8,500,000 veterans had re- insured. Under the terms of the ceived one or more payments or re- G. I. Bill, the Veterans Adminis- adjustment allowances and that tration could also back part of payments since inception of the loans for the following: purchase program in September, 1944, had of all or part of a going business totalled $2,957,000,000 for unem- concern; the establishment of a ployment claims. Approximately business by a veteran; the purchase $558,000,000 had been paid in self- of equipment and supplies for a employment allowances. veteran's business or farming oper- In the foregoing statement on ation - including farm machinery, signing the G. I. Bill of Rights, the seed, livestock, and other equip- President made a number of fur- ment; purchase of inventories and ther recommendations for legisla- stock-in-trade for business or farm- tion to aid veterans. Among these ing operations; the supplying of was a recommendation which he operating capital; payment of over- had first made on November 23, due business taxes; and certain 1943 (see Item 26 and note, 1943 heavy household equipment, such volume) for the extension of social as furnaces and boilers. In general, security credits under the Federal the Federal Government guaran- Old Age and Survivors' Insurance teed up to 50 percent of such loans, Law to all servicemen and women and the interest rate was limited to for the period of their service. not more than 4 percent per year. Under the terms of Public Law 719, As of February 25, 1949, the Vet- 79th Congress, approved August 10, erans Administration reported that 1946 (60 Stat. 978), such social since the start of the loan guarantee security credits were extended to program, veterans had made 1,570,- cover survivorship cases. 000 home, business, and farm loans. At the close of February, 1948, The loans had an $8,500,000,000 face 2,655,000 veterans were receiving value and were insured by the Vet- subsistence allowances under edu- erans Administration for about $4,- cation and training programs. A 000,000,000. total of 1,828,000 were in schools, 1 8 4 46. Philippine Independence ill of Rights also pro- including 1,128,000 in colleges, and At the end of March, 1948, there inployment insurance 596,000 were in on-job-training as were 2,898,000 veterans and their num of $20 per week apprentices in business and indus- dependents drawing compensation It included readjust- trial firms under contract with the or pensions at an estimated annual ices for unemployed Veterans Administration. cost of $1,795,000,000. This number nployed veterans and Vocational rehabilitation for vet- of cases was a reduction of 6,000 n business for them- erans was provided under the Act from the peak which had been 1 a net income of less for as long as necessary to restore reached in July, 1947. sonth. a veteran's ability to work - up to As pointed out by the President h 31, 1949, the Vet- a total of four years, with additional in his statement on signing the G. stration reported that training beyond four years author- I. Bill of Rights, the Federal Gov- 00 veterans had re- ized in extraordinary cases. The ernment by additional legislation more payments or re- Veterans Administration furnished and administrative action had pro- llowances and that for each disabled veteran placed in vided additional protection and al- ice inception of the training the necessary tuition, fees, lowances for members of the armed eptember, 1944, had books, equipment, or the tools and services, including hospitalization, 57,000,000 for unem- equipment necessary for on-the-job medical care, vocational rehabilita- tims. Approximately training. During training either in tion (see Item 101, 1942 volume), had been paid in self- an institution or on the job, sub- war-risk life insurance, veterans illowances. sistence allowances were provided preference in Federal employment egoing statement on by the Veterans Administration, de- (see Item 18, this volume), reem- I. Bill of Rights, the pending upon the nature and ex- ployment rights for returning de a number of fur- tent of the disability of veterans and veterans, and many other related endations for legisla- the number of their dependents. measures. eterans. Among these mendation which he le on November 23, m 26 and note, 1943 he extension of social ts under the Federal Survivors' Insurance 46 Statement of the President on Signing Joint rvicemen and women od of their service. Resolutions Concerning Philippine Independ- ms of Public Law 719, ence and Rehabilitation. June 29, 1944 i, approved August 10, it. 978), such social I HAVE signed today two joint resolutions of Congress respecting its were extended to the Philippines. The first of these resolutions lays down a policy rship cases. se of February, 1948, for the granting of independence, and for the acquisition of bases erans were receiving adequate to provide for the mutual protection of the United llowances under edu- States and the Philippine Islands. raining programs. A In that resolution it is declared to be the policy of "the Con- 3,000 were in schools, gress that the United States shall drive the treacherous, invading 185 Nat 169 Tech 6573 John McConnel women were a " We in Chicago that tined an notice schools for but Dan Quagle Choice Fudraise symether going tally to him sine depeased wanted to so toschool years of chore Charlie Cobb: specific challenges 2 mill kids in schools his personal involvet as a mover Event: town in Milwauker Willia & Thompson -kido son to choice schools got NAACP opposed but stress support by minutity A the speech its this is what happened WWII him Low were sing to do it here Andiena ndiv graples t mal reform After WH brief w/lam, Lane take question the sroups will break capt meet w/admin officials one way to releive nacial tenon Yedie Ansht 401 mas 3046 Race : will have what FDR said about GI Bill POTUS might have used GIBill DPC 22 Room 7:45 Jamar will speak tomonow morny powerful recent 13 states pans legis Pat Roony bus ma in indianapolis, giving kids scholarships Ank bus leader "Free to Choose Charitable Trust Jack Jenkins in Chicago stats grad rates Clint Bolick Catholic schools high scores, high sad rates Very Same day, Ca choic init will Joella get susa on ballot 2690 problem is Pete Wilson Branch Milwanker, Pally William thats a movement 80mg on Mrs. Bush VP + the, Quayli stay Beeks For GOV Dupant See Alexander V Pat Robaton Sen Kasten FACT CHECK Draft 4 June 23, 1992 Gov Dremps Call these may not soont 5:00 p.m. [GI] PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: G.I. BILL FOR KIDS Molly has THE WHITE HOUSE JUNE 25, 1992 10:15 A.M. Pw-nothere the rest. [Acknowledgements.] Fuller not the OPL I have just come from a working session with parents from Milwaukee. Their dreams for their children are the same dreams all of us have. They want their kids to have a first-class education. They know that a good education is absolutely libbed "Her availay was came get out ty My essential to making a good living, making a good life. piece got to Let me tell you what Janette Williams told me about her son H Javon Williams:- ["At his old school that was crowded, he used to get so bored he would walk out. Thanks to the choice program in Milwaukee, he's at a new school. He's not doing those things any more, he's doing his homework and even helping clean up the add classroom after school. They took the energy and turned it around. Governor Tommy Thompson and state Representative Polly Williams were also in our working session, along with Howard NOTERE Fuller, the superintendent of Milwaukee schools. They have Xtaken taken the lead in helping [Janette Williams] realize her dreams for [Javon] -- creating scholarships for 1,000 Milwaukee children from low-income families so x they can attend private schools. Stepheney Smith, Theirs is a bold experiment: to give low-income families more of Thompsons the same choices of schools already available to wealthier Niu families. Julie Hertel knows as other far only bus as inesses, he Mr only Bradley snot wst Justing 414/2919915 Tom Fonfaia 2 7090 Representatives of the Bradley Foundation and several other Milwaukee businesses were also in our meeting. They recently pledged $3 million to increase the number of number of educational choices -- including religious schools -- for Milwaukee's low-income families. They told me this morning that Bin parents picked up every one of the 4500 applications -- the day after the scholarships were announced. Not No one should underestimate what is at stake here. You Foundation wouldn't know it to watch the evening news, but a revolution is Fompray underway in Milwaukee and across this country -- a revolution to Idsalre our See of Alexach make American schools the best in the world. We have set six further (appel) ambitious national education goals, and together with the pdv Vah nation's governors and 1400 communities, we have launched America 2000 to meet those goals. is And even earlier still, in January 1989, before I was sworn in as president, I helped organize the White House Conference on Choice in Education. We believed then -- we believe today -- a pledged hads few fundamental truths. We believe that parents are their children's first teachers Parents, not bureaucrats, know what's is best for their children. Parents, not the government, should choose their children's schools. singled Barbat preds will wills Today I am proposing that we take another giant step forward in support of school choice. I am sending Congress legislation up that would authorize an ambitious demonstration program -- a half us so billion new federal dollars to help cities all across America and with upway 13mlh 3 give $1,000 scholarships to children of middle and low-income families so they can choose which school their kids will attend. This revolution is in the greatest American tradition. We have done this before -- and it has worked. 48 years ago this week, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the GI Bill, creating scholarships that veterans could use at any college -- any college of their choice. The GI Bill created opportunity for Americans who never would have had it -- and in doing so, it helped to create the best system of colleges and universities in the world. And now we can do it again -- this time by helping state and local governments create the best elementary and secondary schools in the world. The GI Bill for Kids will provide that help. These dollars to spend at the schools of their choice will become the muscle parents need to create the best schools for their children. Let me say to those who will attack our school choice initiative on the grounds that it permits government money to go to religious schools: You are mistaken. This is aid to families, 1944 not aid to institutions. No one told the GIs they couldn't go to SMU or Notre Dame or Yeshiva or Fisk. Howard I haven't heard members of Congress suggest that students stop using their Pell grants and guaranteed student loans at Baptist Colleges or Presbyterian seminaries. I don't hear an outcry because poor children at Catholic schools get their lunch paid for by federal taxpayers. In the same way, parents must be free to use this money at the Founded N.D 1842 SMG 1911 Yeshina 1886 Fisk 1866 4 school they believe will best teach their child -- whether that school is public, private or religious. And let me say this to those who appl stand against extending school choice to low- and middle-income families: I simply do not buy the idea that someone cannot make a good decision just because that person is poor That is the same thing I heard when applace we proposed child care vouchers for low-income families -- or when we proposed help for public housing tenants to own their own homes. I say: Let families own their own home, choose their own schools -- regardless of their income appl Give them help in climbing their own ladder, so that they too can grab a share of the American Dream. Spolie school point mong can 8 for pride school There are several points to make about money. First, I want to make it absolutely clear this is not a new federal entitlement program. The federal government can not afford one more entitlement, even for education. And I have said many times that Leslie money alone is not the answer. The U.S. already spends more per Arhicst student for schools than any country in the world except Switzerland and I don't have to tell you where we stand in the international rankings of educational performance. We need a revolution in American education -- not more money for the status quo. conges Investment in our schools will remain primarily a state and local responsibility. But federal support for state and local scholarships for children of middle and low-income families can 5 be a catalyst -- it can help open up opportunities, create genuine change in our schools. For too long, we've shielded schools from competition -- allowed our schools a damaging monopoly power over our children. This monopoly turns students into statistics and parents into pawns. It is time we began thinking of a system of public education in which many providers offer a marketplace of opportunities -- opportunities that give all of our children choices and access to the best education in the world. appl The GI Bill for Children will move America inevitably in that direction. [Janette Williams] and the parents I visited with this morning know that what was enough education for them isn't enough for their kids -- or for them, today. They know their children are growing up differently. They see teachers are stymied and kids are bored -- because schools are in a time warp, designed for another age. They also know they have responsibilities to pay more Min. Govi Carlson 2000 attention, check the homework, turn off the television. That it's not just teachers, as the African proverb says, "It takes an entire village to educate one child. = We're all in this together. legislative analyst Mr Rooney's assistant. Abraham Lincoln once said: "Revolutions do not go backward." Milwaukee is not the only place in America our revolution is occurring. Last year in Indianapolis, Pat Rooney and the Choice Trust Fund began to offer tuition vouchers to CHOICE Brian MiManus Educa tiona / CHOICE itable Trust caps] Moderate to low income (McManus) I checking Witney one: 6cont Educ Indianapolis students. In San Antonio, the CEO Foundation has laudo dove earmarked $1.5 million in vouchers for children in their community And in California, Joe Alibrandi and thousands of your supporters are pushing a ballot initiative to provide a voucher Pal the scholarship for every school-age child in the state. 11 fa FYI POTUS Sino Overall, in 1991, ten states approved some form of new choice 3101 took legislation -- and 37 states had choice legislation pending in one form or another. a 4433) office 10 states Instad that that my be From California to East Harlem -- from coast gen to coast -- the people leaders of the school choice movement are sparking a revolution the May in American education. They are the true heroes of education spen reform -- and some of them are here with us today. They aren't hap afraid to stand up to the status quo -- to say, loud and clear, Scb. that when it comes to educating our kids, business-as-usual isn't Charce good enough And let there be no mistake: I am proud to stand with you. // and county This revolution will succeed -- because it draws its the words strength from the very heart of the American creed. We have no truth more enduring than the idea that every American should have the opportunity for a first class education. We have no principles more important than freedom, opportunity and choice. Thank you for the work you're doing for this nation's future apl -- and may God bless the United States of America. # # your States and Choice (Dep. of Education -- Center for Choice) Since I took office in 1989, 12 states have passed major choice legislation and in 1991 37 states considered choic legislation. Draft 5 June 24, 1992 3:00 p.m. [GI] PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: G.I. BILL FOR CHILDREN THE WHITE HOUSE JUNE 25, 1992 10:15 A.M. Welcome, all of you, to the White House. // I have just come from a working session with parents from Milwaukee. Their dreams for their children are the same dreams all of us have. They want their kids to have a first-class education. They know that a good education is absolutely essential to making a good living, making a good life. Let me tell you what Janette Williams told me about her son Javon Williams: ["At his old school that was crowded, he used to get so bored he would walk out. Thanks to the choice program in Milwaukee, he's at a new school. He's not doing those things any more, he's doing his homework and even helping clean up the classroom after school. They took the energy and turned it around. "] Governor Tommy Thompson and state Representative Polly ck/ Williams were also in our working session, along with Howard Fuller, the superintendent of Milwaukee schools. They have taken the lead in helping [Janette Williams] realize her dreams for [Javon] -- creating scholarships for 1,000 Milwaukee children from low-income families so they can attend private schools. Theirs is a bold experiment: to give low-income families more of the same choices of schools already available to wealthier families. 2 Representatives of the Bradley Foundation and several other Milwaukee businesses were also in our meeting. They recently pledged $3 million to increase the number of number of educational choices -- including religious schools -- for Milwaukee's low-income families. They told me this morning that parents picked up every one of the 4500 applications -- the day after the scholarships were announced. No one should underestimate what is at stake here. You wouldn't know it to watch the evening news, but a revolution is underway in Milwaukee and across this country -- a revolution to make American schools the best in the world. Together with the Nation's Governors, we have set six ambitious national education XX X Witney goals -- and X in 44 states and fourteen hundred communities, we X X X Carm have launched America 2000 to meet those goals. Even earlier still, in January 1989, before I was sworn in as president, I helped organize the White House Conference on Choice in Education. We believed then -- we believe today -- a few fundamental truths. We believe that parents are their children's first teachers. Parents, not bureaucrats, know what's best for their children. Parents, not the government, should choose their children's schools. Today I am proposing that we take another giant step forward in this revolution. I am sending Congress legislation that would authorize an ambitious demonstration program -- a half billion new federal dollars to help communities all across America give 3 $1,000 scholarships to children of middle and low-income families so they can choose which school their kids will attend. This revolution is in the greatest American tradition. We have done this before -- and it has worked. 48 years ago this week, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the GI Bill, creating scholarships that veterans could use at any college -- any college of their choice. The GI Bill created opportunity for Americans who never would have had it -- and in doing so, it helped to create the best system of colleges and universities in the world. And now we can do it again -- this time by helping state and local governments create the best elementary and secondary schools in the world. The GI Bill for Children will provide that help. These dollars to spend at the schools of their choice will become the muscle parents need to create the best schools for their children. Let me say to those who will attack our school choice initiative on the grounds that it permits government money to go to religious schools: You are mistaken. This is aid to families, not aid to institutions. No one told the GIs they couldn't go to SMU or Notre Dame or Yeshiva or Howard. I haven't heard members of Congress suggest that students stop using their Pell grants and guaranteed student loans at Baptist Colleges or Presbyterian seminaries. I don't hear an outcry because poor children at Catholic schools get their lunch paid for by federal taxpayers. In the same way, parents must be free to use this money at the 4 school they believe will best teach their child -- whether that school is public, private or religious. And let me say this to those who stand against extending school choice to low- and middle-income families: I simply do not buy the idea that someone cannot make a good decision just because that person is poor. That is the same thing I heard when we proposed child care vouchers for low-income families -- or when we proposed help for public housing tenants to own their own homes. I say: Let families own their own home, choose their own schools -- regardless of their income. Give them help in climbing their own ladder, so that they too can grab a share of the American Dream. Finally, to those who claim school choice will hurt the public schools -- let me underscore this point: all of this new money can go to public schools -- if that's where students choose to go. // There are several points to make about money. First, I want to make it absolutely clear this is not a new federal entitlement program. The federal government can not afford one more entitlement, even for education. And I have said many times that money alone is not the answer. The U.S. already spends more per student for schools than any country in the world except Switzerland -- and I don't have to tell you where we stand in the international rankings of educational performance. We need a revolution in American education -- not more money for the status quo. 5 Investment in our schools will remain primarily a state and local responsibility. But federal support for state and local scholarships can be a catalyst -- for schools that attract choice students, it will give teachers and principals a welcome source of new funds. And for our children, choice can help open up opportunities, create genuine change in our schools. For too long, we've shielded schools from competition -- allowed our schools a damaging monopoly power over our children. This monopoly turns students into statistics and parents into pawns. It is time we began thinking of a system of public education in which many providers offer a marketplace of opportunities -- opportunities that give all of our children choices and access to the best education in the world. The GI Bill for Children will move America inevitably in that direction. Janette Williams and the parents I visited with this morning know that what was enough education for them isn't enough for their kids -- or for them, today. They know their children are growing up differently. They see teachers are stymied and kids are bored -- because schools are in a time warp, designed for another age. They also know they have responsibilities to pay more attention, check the homework, turn off the television. That it's not just teachers, as the African proverb says, "It takes an entire village to educate one child." We're all in this together. 6 Abraham Lincoln once said: "Revolutions do not go backward." Milwaukee is not the only place in America our revolution is occurring. Last year in Indianapolis, Pat Rooney and the Choice Trust Fund began to offer tuition vouchers to Indianapolis students -- and I understand a busload of parents and students drove all night to be here today. // In San Antonio, the CEO Foundation has earmarked $1.5 million in vouchers for children in their community. And in California, Joe Alibrandi and thousands of supporters are pushing a ballot initiative to provide a voucher scholarship for every school-age child in the state. // Overall, in 1991, ten states approved some form of new choice legislation -- and 37 states had choice legislation pending in one form or another. And I've been told today there may just be a few folks here from Pennsylvania. /// It may take a few tries -- but I never underestimate the persistence of parents: the children of Pennsylvania will have school choice. // From California to East Harlem -- from coast to coast -- the leaders of the school choice movement are sparking a revolution in American education. They are the true heroes of education reform -- and some of them are here with us today. They aren't afraid to stand up to the status quo -- to say, loud and clear, that when it comes to educating our kids, business-as-usual isn't good enough. And let there be no mistake: I am proud to stand with you. // 7 This revolution will succeed -- because it draws its strength from the very heart of the American creed. We have no truth more enduring than the idea that every American should have the opportunity for a first class education. We have no principles more important than freedom, opportunity and choice. Thank you for the work you're doing for this nation's future -- and may God bless the United States of America. # # # PAGE 1 LEVEL 1 - - 1 OF 1 DOCUMENT Public Papers of the Presidents Remarks to the Lehigh Valley 2000 Community in Allentown, Pennsylvania 28 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 665 April 16, 1992 LENGTH: 3389 words ... reinvent the American school. But you know that story because, once again, Lehigh Valley has led the way. I want to share with you an old African proverb that's the motto of Minnesota 2000, "It takes an entire village to educate one child. = And that is what it takes because education doesn't just happen in the classroom. It doesn't start at 8:20 each morning and end at 5 of 3. All of us lead busy lives, but we ... TM TM TM LEXIS: NEXIS® LEXIS-NEXIS® LEXIS·NEXIS® Services of Mead Data Central, Inc. Recyclable