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

   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    Contact:  Kathryn Kahler    September 30, 1994                                 (202) 401-3026

STATEMENT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RICHARD W. RILEY

regarding passage in the House of Representatives of the Improving America's Schools Act conference report

I would like to congratulate the House of Representatives for capping off its year of legislative accomplishments in education with its 262-132 vote today in favor of the conference report on the Improving America's Schools Act, the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

This is a vote for the children of America.

After 18 months of working hand-in-hand with the Congress to enact an impressive array of groundbreaking education reform legislation, it is heartening to see that the last and largest portion of the Clinton administration's education reform package has received the support of Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives.

This bill, the federal government's largest investment in K-12 education, will give children who are behind in the basics a better foundation so they can achieve to higher academic standards. It will help schools become safe and drug-free and help teachers find better ways to teach the basic skills, as well as more challenging subject matter. It also upholds the administration's goals to reform ESEA by giving schools flexibility and increased opportunities for innovation with ESEA funds.

I urge the Senate to join the House and pass this important bill so all children will benefit.

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