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PRESS RELEASE -- People For the American Way
http://www.pfaw.org/news/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 1999
CONTACT: Media Relations Department at 202-467-4999
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ARMEY'S PLAN IS THE REAL NATURAL DISASTER, SAYS SHIELDS
STATEMENT OF CAROLE SHIELDS, President, People for the American Way
in Opposition to the Academic Emergency Act of 1999
Don't be fooled. Congressman Dick Armey (R-Texas) says he is
proposing the Academic Emergency Act of 1999 to help our poorest
kids. This plan is nothing short of its own natural disaster. It
will rip through our cities and towns and decimate our public
schools.
We sometimes tell our kids, "do what I say, not what I do."
Let's take a look at what Dick Armey does, not simply what he says.
This Dick Armey, who professes such concern for poor families
and children, is the same Dick Armey who in 1994 was one of only 20
House members to vote against reauthorization of Head Start, and one
of just 40 to vote against reauthorization of child nutrition
programs.
He's the same Dick Armey who voted to cut funding for school lunches
and food stamps as part of the December 1995 welfare bill that
Clinton vetoed.
He's the same Dick Armey who has voted:
* AGAINST increasing the minimum wage;
* AGAINST affirmative action;
* AGAINST the Civil Rights Act of 1991;
* AGAINST a 1993 bill to authorize funds for states to develop
alternative punishments for young offenders; and
* AGAINST an amendment to the 1996 Welfare Reform bill that would
have permitted states to provide coupons to purchase specific
items for children, such as food, clothing and shelter, if their
parents' benefits were cut off.
He's the same Dick Armey who voted AGAINST funds for school
construction in 1998.
That's right. He's the Dick Armey who hasn't changed a bit.
During the 105th Congress, he voted to eliminate affirmative action
programs that open the doors to opportunity in our colleges and
universities. And he's the same Dick Armey who was pushing an
education voucher scheme on the poor kids of the District of Columbia
which would have sapped the public schools of the money they need to
get stronger.
There are plenty of ways to help kids in struggling public schools,
and Dick Armey knows it. He's voted against virtually every one of
them. But these simple, common sense proposals don't support his
right-wing agenda. We should be making sure all children go to
school in safe and sound buildings; that they are being taught by
qualified teachers in smaller classes; and that they have up-to-date
textbooks.
Fortunately, there are community leaders all over the nation who
are working to strengthen public schools. That's where the hope for
our children and our future lies - not in the tricks of politics, but
in the commitment of leaders to provide a quality education for every
single child.
So board up your windows. Get your candles and flashlights ready.
Stock up on canned goods. The Academic Emergency Act of 1999 is
headed your way and it's a real disaster.
####
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON VOUCHERS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
http://www.pfaw.org/issues/education/
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