A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

   FOR RELEASE                              Contact:  Kathryn Kahler    February 28, 1995                                  (202) 401-3026

Children Are First Casualties, Riley Says; Decries "Unprecedented Attack"

Making such deep cuts in education is like declaring war on America's children, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley said today, referring to fiscal year 1995 rescissions proposed by the House Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations.

"This proposal contains no funds for drug and violence prevention; no funds for the tech-prep initiative to help young people prepare for work; reduced funds for star schools to use satellite technology to bring more opportunities to students in isolated rural areas; and major cuts in the Goals 2000 Act and professional development programs designed to set high standards for teaching and learning," Riley said.

"To attack the very programs that serve the most vulnerable members of our society defies common sense and compassion. Such cuts are unconscionable and cannot be permitted to stand."

In addition to the $1.7 billion the House subcommittee has proposed to withdraw from education, Riley cited proposed cuts in the school lunch program and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program.

"The first casualties of this Republican revolution are America's children," he said.

"Last November," Riley continued, "the American people said they want change. They want smaller, more efficient government. But, as every national public opinion poll makes crystal clear, there is no mandate for slashing education. Survey after survey indicates that Americans realize education is our children's key to the future. We should not become the first generation unwilling to provide for our children."

Riley noted that the Republican leadership has called for eliminating the federal tax on capital gains, and questioned whether they propose to offset this loss of tax revenue by abolishing programs that serve children. "How can we cut capital gains taxes for the wealthy at the expense of our children?" Riley asked.

Riley is scheduled to testify Wednesday, March 1, on fiscal year 1996 appropriations before the same House subcommittee that has proposed the rescissions in programs administered by the Education Department.

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