Lincoln Chafee

Mr. L. CHAFEE

Mr. L. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I rise to clarify my two votes today on amendments to the bankruptcy reform legislation to increase the minimum wage by $1.00, from $5.15 to $6.15 per hour. Let me begin by saying that I preferred the approach taken by Senator Kennedy's amendment to increase the minimum wage in two increments over the next fourteen months. As my colleagues are aware, an increase in the minimum wage is needed for our Nation's workers. At our current minimum wage of $5.15 per hour, many of our workers are unable to support themselves and their families. In response to this need, I voted against a motion to table the Kennedy amendment because I believe workers should receive the increase over fourteen months, as opposed to the twenty-nine months proposed in the Domenici amendment. I also preferred the Kennedy approach because the business tax incentives offered in the amendment were fully paid for. On the other hand, the Domenici amendment provided $75 billion in business tax incentives to be funded by projected budget surpluses which may, or may not, materialize. Nevertheless, to its credit, the Domenici amendment offered provisions related to health insurance deductibility, and the permanent extension of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit--two important legislative items. It is no secret that our economy is strong. Inflation is low and the economic arguments against raising the minimum wage are attempts not particularly persuasive. In fact, a recent editorial in the Providence Journal stated that ``. . . higher wages often mean greater loyalty and effort on the part of employees. Thus, whatever the increment of a higher minimum wage, that cost could be more than offset by higher revenue and profits from increased productivity and reduced turnover, hiring, and training costs. . . . Congress ought to do it.'' However, when the Kennedy amendment was tabled, I thought it was important to have, at the very least, some version of a minimum wage package approved by the Senate. Thus, I then voted in favor of the Domenici amendment. Although it is not an ideal package, I am hopeful that an agreement can be reached on a sensible, bipartisan approach to raising the minimum wage once the House passes its own version of the legislation. I urge my colleagues find that common ground, which in the end, will help our economy and our working families. We ought to do it.

Mr. L. CHAFEE

Mr. L. CHAFEE. Mr. President, today I have the enormous honor of introducing legislation to renew and strengthen the Even Start Family Literacy Act. On October 1, 1985, my father stood at this desk, where I stand today, and introduced the Even Start Act. He did so because of his profound commitment to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our society. As I introduce this bill, which attempts to break the cycle of illiteracy that divides our Nation into haves and have nots, I do so in an effort to continue that commitment to disadvantaged Americans. Last week, an identical bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Bill Goodling, chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Chairman Goodling introduced the original Even Start Act in the House on May 16, 1985. Both versions of the Even Start Act were reintroduced in the 100th Congress and became law as part of the Hawkins-Stafford Elementary and Secondary Improvement Act Amendments of 1987. There are approximately 40 million Americans who suffer from illiteracy. Like a disease, illiteracy often goes undetected. Like a disease, illiteracy too often is passed from generation to generation. Like a disease, illiteracy is painful for families to endure. There is no certain cure for illiteracy, but by renewing and expanding the Even Start Family Literacy Program, we offer tens of thousands of families hope for a better future. There are many controversies related to education policy at the local, state and federal levels. There are heartfelt, passionately held opinions about everything from funding levels to particular teaching techniques. Nevertheless, there are a few things on which nearly everyone agrees: parents are their children's first and most important teachers, and children who are read to early and often do better in school than children who are not. As the father of three young children, reading together is a part of daily life that I take for granted. I suspect that it is difficult for most of the members of this body to imagine what it would be like not to have the ability to sit down with your children or grandchildren to read a favorite story. But for millions of Americans, reading a bedtime story or helping with a son or daughter's homework assignment is impossible. The Even Start Family Literacy Act brings families together to learn. Parents who do not have a high school degree or its equivalent are eligible for this program. They learn the basic educational skills that enable them to improve their own situations and, perhaps even more importantly, they learn the skills they need to help their children in school. At the same time, children from birth to age 8 receive appropriate educational services. The bill I am introducing makes two notable changes in the Even Start program. First, it enables a child, who also is receiving title I services, to remain in the Even Start program beyond age 8. It also requires Even Start programs to utilize research-based teaching techniques for children. In addition to these improvements, it authorizes the Institute for Literacy to investigate the most effective means of improving adults' literacy skills, and it increases the authorization level to $500 million so that more families can be served. Currently, there are four Even Start programs in Rhode Island receiving federal funds. Each of these programs serves between 25 and 40 families. In Newport, the Sullivan School Children's Opportunity Zone/Family Center has entered into an Even Start partnership with New Visions--the local Head Start provider, the Newport Public Library, the Florence Gray Center--which provides housing for low-income families, the Community College of Rhode Island and the Newport Hospital. Half of its participants are non-English readers. In Woonsocket, the Fairmont School is the Even Start center, with partners from Literacy Volunteers of Northern Rhode Island and Woonsocket Head Start, among others. Three cities and towns--Johnston, North Providence, and Smithfield, have joined together to create the Tri-Town Community Action Even Start Program. Finally, the Cunningham School Even Start Program has established a partnership with Pawtucket Public Schools and Libraries, the Pawtucket Day Nursery, and a range of education and social service providers. Each of these programs has utilized existing early childhood and adult education services. Together they are striving to address the needs of the whole family. In the 12 years since the Even Start Program first was created, our nation has been propelled into the information age. Americans are increasingly dependent on technology for a wide range of needs and services. This new age magnifies our need for a literate society. As we continue to experience technological advancements, the educationally disadvantaged fall further behind. I believe that the Even Start Family Literacy Act as reauthorized by this bill--the Literacy Involves Families Together Act--is critically important to our Nation's children, our Nation's families, and our Nation's future. I see Senator Jeffords on the floor. Before I yield to him, I thank him for his generosity to me and for his leadership in the area of education. Chairman Jeffords has the daunting task of leading the Senate's efforts to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. From what I know of Senator Jeffords, this major undertaking couldn't be in more able hands. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to join me as cosponsors of this bill.

Mr. L. CHAFEE

Mr. L. CHAFEE. Mr. President, today I have the enormous honor of introducing legislation to renew and strengthen the Even Start Family Literacy Act. On October 1, 1985, my father stood at this desk, where I stand today, and introduced the Even Start Act. He did so because of his profound commitment to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our society. As I introduce this bill, which attempts to break the cycle of illiteracy that divides our Nation into haves and have nots, I do so in an effort to continue that commitment to disadvantaged Americans. Last week, an identical bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Bill Goodling, chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Chairman Goodling introduced the original Even Start Act in the House on May 16, 1985. Both versions of the Even Start Act were reintroduced in the 100th Congress and became law as part of the Hawkins-Stafford Elementary and Secondary Improvement Act Amendments of 1987. There are approximately 40 million Americans who suffer from illiteracy. Like a disease, illiteracy often goes undetected. Like a disease, illiteracy too often is passed from generation to generation. Like a disease, illiteracy is painful for families to endure. There is no certain cure for illiteracy, but by renewing and expanding the Even Start Family Literacy Program, we offer tens of thousands of families hope for a better future. There are many controversies related to education policy at the local, state and federal levels. There are heartfelt, passionately held opinions about everything from funding levels to particular teaching techniques. Nevertheless, there are a few things on which nearly everyone agrees: parents are their children's first and most important teachers, and children who are read to early and often do better in school than children who are not. As the father of three young children, reading together is a part of daily life that I take for granted. I suspect that it is difficult for most of the members of this body to imagine what it would be like not to have the ability to sit down with your children or grandchildren to read a favorite story. But for millions of Americans, reading a bedtime story or helping with a son or daughter's homework assignment is impossible. The Even Start Family Literacy Act brings families together to learn. Parents who do not have a high school degree or its equivalent are eligible for this program. They learn the basic educational skills that enable them to improve their own situations and, perhaps even more importantly, they learn the skills they need to help their children in school. At the same time, children from birth to age 8 receive appropriate educational services. The bill I am introducing makes two notable changes in the Even Start program. First, it enables a child, who also is receiving title I services, to remain in the Even Start program beyond age 8. It also requires Even Start programs to utilize research-based teaching techniques for children. In addition to these improvements, it authorizes the Institute for Literacy to investigate the most effective means of improving adults' literacy skills, and it increases the authorization level to $500 million so that more families can be served. Currently, there are four Even Start programs in Rhode Island receiving federal funds. Each of these programs serves between 25 and 40 families. In Newport, the Sullivan School Children's Opportunity Zone/Family Center has entered into an Even Start partnership with New Visions--the local Head Start provider, the Newport Public Library, the Florence Gray Center--which provides housing for low-income families, the Community College of Rhode Island and the Newport Hospital. Half of its participants are non-English readers. In Woonsocket, the Fairmont School is the Even Start center, with partners from Literacy Volunteers of Northern Rhode Island and Woonsocket Head Start, among others. Three cities and towns--Johnston, North Providence, and Smithfield, have joined together to create the Tri-Town Community Action Even Start Program. Finally, the Cunningham School Even Start Program has established a partnership with Pawtucket Public Schools and Libraries, the Pawtucket Day Nursery, and a range of education and social service providers. Each of these programs has utilized existing early childhood and adult education services. Together they are striving to address the needs of the whole family. In the 12 years since the Even Start Program first was created, our nation has been propelled into the information age. Americans are increasingly dependent on technology for a wide range of needs and services. This new age magnifies our need for a literate society. As we continue to experience technological advancements, the educationally disadvantaged fall further behind. I believe that the Even Start Family Literacy Act as reauthorized by this bill--the Literacy Involves Families Together Act--is critically important to our Nation's children, our Nation's families, and our Nation's future. I see Senator Jeffords on the floor. Before I yield to him, I thank him for his generosity to me and for his leadership in the area of education. Chairman Jeffords has the daunting task of leading the Senate's efforts to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. From what I know of Senator Jeffords, this major undertaking couldn't be in more able hands. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to join me as cosponsors of this bill.