Harold Ford

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to join the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee] in this effort to commend those who have participated in this NetDay 1996 and to congratulate those for helping to build that bridge to the 21st century. As a Member of Congress especially dedicated to youth and one that serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, NetDay 1996 cannot have a more committed advocate than me. Let me first, though, take this opportunity to thank our President for the extraordinary challenge that he issued to all of America, including Democrats and Republicans in this Chamber, last night. I was particularly excited to hear his emphasis on education and his calling to all Americans, including all in this Chamber again, Mr. Speaker, a call to action, to respond to the needs of our young people to help prepare for better and brighter tomorrow. NetDay 1996 is this Nation's challenge to participate in the success of our youth's lives. Every parent, teacher, clergy member, neighbor, business leader, business employee, computer systems administrator, every single member of society can participate and take on the community responsibility to positively affect children's lives. In 1996, Mr. Speaker, 100,000 NetDay volunteers installed wiring infrastructure to connect 25,000 elementary and secondary schools to the information superhighway. Parity and access to the Internet is fundamental to realize the true benefit of the information superhighway. That is why I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, for we demonstrated the courage and the wisdom in this Chamber to reform welfare. I would hope that we could exhibit that same courage, wisdom, decency, and show the same temerity in empowering our teachers and classrooms to prepare our children for the future. In that vein, let me applaud the success of the two Illinois students and their classmates and teachers, brought to our attention last evening during the State of the Union Message, for they are examples of excellence that should be admired and replicated throughout this Nation. In that vein, let me also speak in support of establishing national standards, not to create another level of Federal bureaucracy or additional levels of bureaucracy, Mr. Speaker, but to make and understand that education is as important a national security issue as any issue that we confront here in this Congress. The syndrome of inferiority and shortcoming that has beset many of our Nation's schools, let us pledge here in this Chamber, let us pledge today to responding to the call of action that the President issued last night that we will transform that syndrome into an atmosphere and environment of success, to expectations of success for our young people. As I close, Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas and thank the cosponsors of this NetDay legislation. For there is no more important issue to America's competitiveness as we move into this next century, Mr. Speaker, than ensuring that every young person is afforded the opportunity, affording the best opportunity to be exposed to the quality education that we here in America can afford. In that vein, I challenge every citizen to become a part of this effort. No school should be without its own assembly of volunteers from every hill and every hamlet. We must afford our children an opportunity to be first in the world. Mr. Speaker, this is the call to action and this young Member from Tennessee is ready to respond.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, today, January 9, is a monumental day for postsecondary education. Just a few hours ago President Clinton announced that the college loan default rate has fallen to a 7-year low which translates into lower interest rates and more loans for young people. From a high of 22.4 percent in 1990 the default rate has dropped to approximately 10\1/2\ percent, and I applaud the Clinton administration for its efforts to improve the collection of defaulted loans and to prevent loans from falling into default status. The Department of Education has done a sensational job in counseling students about their loan responsibilities and helping to create more flexible payment options for young people. A spokesman for the American Council on Education, an association representing colleges and universities, stated, ``This administration has tightened up on weaknesses in the system, and defaults are down.'' I agree, Mr. Speaker, with my colleagues who suggest we need to reform our educational system. However, I disagree with those who call for the abolition of the Department of Education. To the contrary, we need to expand the role of the Federal Government with respect to education and educational funding. Recently, the Department of Education released Pursuing Excellence: A Study of Eighth Grade Mathematics and Science Teaching, Learning, Curriculum and Achievement in International Context. The results were not surprising. Although the United States is making progress compared to our major economic and political allies, Mr. Speaker, we must do much more. We must and can do so much for our children. Instead of focusing entirely on punishing and sentencing young people, we should be searching for ways to challenge and propel people into the 21st century equipped with the tools to keep America competitive and make these young people viable holders of jobs in the marketplace. As a new Member of Congress I intend to reach out to all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, particularly those in my own class. I was heartened yesterday, Mr. Speaker, by an encounter that I had with my new friend, the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Granger]. Strong bipartisan support is essential for any dynamic and comprehensive educational reform package to gain the support of the American people. The investment in America that will generate the largest yield is an investment in America's potential. That is the education of our youth. As I stated earlier, this investment effort must be driven by bipartisanship and common sense rather than partisan ideology which lacks both a vision and a mandate. I was pleased to see the Speaker both contrite and repentant in his view of the work facing the 105th Congress. The circumstances surrounding his election and the will of the American people necessitate our building together for the best interests, working together for the best interests of the future of America.