Senate Journal: Page 52: Tuesday, January 10, 1995

    some child support -- regardless of their circumstances.  We cannot
    continue to reward irresponsibility.

         One of the greatest tragedies of modern America is the number of
    teenage parents  who do not finish high school.  And there is too much
    of that here in Iowa, too.  We should require parents who are under 18
    and receiving welfare to either have completed high school or be in the
    fulltime pursuit of their diploma. A high school education is essential
    to the teenage parent's future and the future of their children.

         Fifth, we must give our children the best education in the world.
    The foundation of all future progress and opportunities lies in our
    historic commitment to the education of our children. Iowa's first in
    the nation schools, dedicate teachers, and involved parents and
    communities have made education a great source of pride for the people
    of this state.

         Through the farm crisis and all of the challenges we faced in the
    1980's, we always found the resources for our schools.  While 48 of the
    50 states lessen their commitment to education during that time, we,
    here in Iowa, held firm.

         The budget I will present to you continues that commitment.
    Education will rceive an increasing share of our resources.

         In addition, to allowable growth in school budgets, I am proposing
    a School Improvement Program.  This innovative program will add an
    additional $15 million a year for the next four years in state aid to
    local schools.  I believe that  with additional resources and the
    flexibility they need, our schools can compete with the best in the
    world.

         We are the best in the nation.  But we can't rest on our laurels;
    now we must become the best in the world.

         Last month, Newsweek magazine carried an article about the Iowa
    Communications Network entitled, We've Seen the Future.  It's in Iowa.
    This year, 100,000 hours of two-way interactive classes will be
    conducted using ICN.  The investment we made in ICN several years ago is
    one that is benefiting Iowa's schoolchildren today and whose benefits
    will be shown most clearly through the next generation of Iowans.  The
    next step is to route the information superhighway to every school
    district in this state.

         Iowans have a great deal of pride in the quality and diversity of
    our higher education.  Iowa ranks in the top ten in the nation for state
    support of higher education.  Our state universities, community colleges
    and independent colleges and   universities are great assets in dozens
    of communities throughout the stateand they provide Iowans of all ages
    and backgrounds with the opportunity to reach their full potential.

         A national magazine recently rated the University of Iowa and Iowa
    State  University among the fifty best buys in public higher education.
    The University of Northern Iowa was rated as the most efficient
    university in the Midwest and the safest campus community in the nation.
    Competitive salaries for faculty have helped to attract some of the

Iowa General Assembly

Index: Senate Journal (76th General Assembly: Session 1)

© 1995 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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