Statement of Senator Jon S. Corzine:
The "Leave No Child Behind" Amendment
WASHINGTON - 03.29.01 | Let me congratulate Tom Harkin and express my full and enthusiastic support for this effort to put commitment and dollars to the words "Leave no child behind." Like my colleagues, I believe that this concept should not be a slogan, but a reality.
Today, we are endorsing a program - a plan - to fulfill the American promise of equal access to the American dream for every child.
If we were to invest the resources outlined in early childhood learning, quality primary and secondary schools and support for higher education we would take a significant step towards securing America's future.
Why on earth should we prioritize a $50,000 dollar tax break for the few, when the leverage of less than one-fourth of this amount could fund a revolutionary step forward in America's educational system?
I am here today, a few days before the full Senate takes up our budget priorities, because I believe America must secure its future through investment in our children.
The Harkin plan does just that. It funds the educational programs that we all claim are one of our top priorities.
American's promise was made available to me and to most of us here because of access to a great public education system.
No child should have less.
So I support the president's rhetoric, but I implore the Congress to put meaning to the words - with dollars for the programs.
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