79-14-A3
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Department of Education[edit]
Transcript[edit]When the two houses of Congress each vote out a bill to create, say a new agency, but the bills differ in some details, they are sent to a conference committee. This committee of Senators and Representatives attempts to reconcile the differences in the bills and send a comprehensive version back to each house for another vote. Some time ago both house and senate approved the creation of a new cabinet level Department of Education. This was in response to the President's pledge to the National Education association that he would try for such a new department. It means, of course, federal regulation of our schools under the domination of the National Education association which is in truth a very powerful union. Another union, the American Federation of Teachers, is opposed to such a department -- as all of us should be. Is the government that administers the postal service and Amtrak -- to say nothing of energy -- qualified to educate our children? If the conference committee hasn't acted before you hear this we should be letting your elected representatives know you don't want it if you don't. The House version of the bill is full of amendments. It now carries an amendment forbidding federal funding of abortions. Another amendment would require voluntary prayers be permitted in public schools. I've never thought they should have been stopped. An amendment forbids racial or sexual quotas in institutions of higher learning that accept federal subsidies. One also forbids the new department from directing school busing for racial integration. And another removes nurses, medical trainees and Indians from the new department's jurisdiction. Our best hope is that this measure with all its attached baggage will linger with the conference committee until the end of this session of Congress. Letters to representatives and senators can help bring this about. I've said before on these broadcasts, the National Education association has a long standing dream of a federal school system with everything from curriculum to textbooks dictated by Washington. Of course the association has in mind that Washington will look to it for guidance on setting policy. The N.E.A. has contributed a half million dollars over the last five years to members of Congress who have brought this dream to its present near reality. A National Department of Education would extend its power to cover independent and parochial schools. Indeed part of its dream is incorporation of such schools in the public system. It would enlist thousands of employees and have a budget some congressmen have said would top $10 billion. This ugly blossom on the academic tree should be left to die of committee neglect. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
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