public elementary and secondary schools in the Nation, benefited from the application of this law. In addition, under Public Law 815, almost 60,000 classrooms have been constructed with the assistance of Federal payments of $1.15 billion. This is an impressive record. Far from reducing this program, I would support efforts to expand it and make it permanent, either in its present form or as part of a comprehensive Federal aid program. RECOMMENDATIONS I also recommend that Public Laws 815 and 874 be amended to allow school districts to continue to count for qualifying purposes all Federal property for 1 year beyond the date of the sale or transfer of such property by the Federal Government. Such a 1-year extension for Federal "housing" property is already granted under Public Law 874. The amendment I propose would grant the extension to all classes of property and not limit it to housing. This further extension would, I believe, allow school districts receiving impact aid funds sufficient time to adjust their school budgets to take into account the loss in Federal funds so that such a loss would not mean a reduction in the quality of education offered in these districts. Such an extension is specifically provided in S. 236, introduced by Senator Dodd and cosponsored by Senator Long of Missouri and myself. Enactment of such a provision this year would substantially assist several Rhode Island communities which suffered unanticipated cutbacks in their allotments under Public Law 874 last year when the Federal Government transferred some of its property at Groton, Conn., to private hands. Although it is true that private ownership of this facility will yield tax revenues, a portion of which will go to the support of public schools in the area, there will be a time gap before these tax revenues are available to the local school districts. And, in any case, since this facility is located in Connecticut, none of these tax revenues would be available to communities in Rhode Island. This amendment would provide necessary funds during this time gap. In addition, I believe the present impact aid program could usefully be expanded to include payment for federally connected children enrolled in postgraduate courses in secondary schools and in community colleges when these facilities are a part of the regular public school system. In my view, it would be extremely unfortunate if we were to recommend a reduction in this proven program, a program which is vital to many of the school districts of the Nation; a program which has the support of friends and foes of general aid to education, both liberals and conservatives; and a program which has amply demonstrated that Federal aid does not lead inevitably to Federal contral. I support the extension of Public Laws 815 and 874, and I strongly urge the members of this subcommittee to amend the provisions of title IV of S. 580 so as not to reduce the payments to areas impacted by federally connected schoolchildren. Analysis of effects upon local school districts in Rhode Island of revisions of Public Law 815 and Public Law 874 contained in S. 580 1 Local school agency would not have been eligible to receive funds under the provisions of S. 580. NOTE In addition to the $2,068,744 received under Public Law 874, Rhode Island (specifically the Newport school system) received $440,000 under Public Law 815 which would have been unaffected by the provisions of S. 580. Senator PELL. The subcommittee is recessed until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. (Whereupon, at 12:20 p.m., the subcommittee recessed, to reconvene Friday, June 14, 1963, at 10 a.m.) EDUCATION LEGISLATION-1963 FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1963 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to recess, at 10:15 a.m. in room 4232, New Senate Office Building, Senator Wayne Morse (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Present: Senators Morse and Javits. Also present: Senator Fong of Hawaii. Committee staff members present: Stewart McClure, chief clerk; Charles Lee, professional staff member of the subcommittee; Michael J. Bernstein, minority counsel; and Ray D. Hurley, associate minority counsel. Senator MORSE. Senator, I am terribly sorry, but I want you to know that I have been taking care of mutual constituents- constituents of Hawaii as well as Oregon. I got here as fast as I could. Please accept my apology. We are delighted to have you with us. Please proceed in your own way. STATEMENT OF HON. HIRAM L. FONG, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF HAWAII Senator FONG. Mr. Chairman, I am delighted at the opportunity to appear before you in connection with the very important subject of education. It is impossible to overemphasize the role of education in the success of America and our form of government. Ours is a very difficult kind of government to function successfully. Only an educated citizenry can do it. Fortunately, our constitutional system has built-in incentives which encourage individuals to obtain an education and to improve themselves. This not only helps them individually but collectively helps our Nation, for America is the sum and substance of all her people. Our system recognizes that our human resources are our Nation's most important asset and must be developed to the highest extent. Our schools are a vital part of this system in that they offer individuals the opportunity to improve their minds and skills, to become better workers and better citizens, to broaden their horizons, and enrich their lives with fullness of knowledge. Improving our schools will help greatly to develop further our human resources. Analysis of effects upon local school districts in Rhode Island of revisions of Public Law 815 and Public Law 874 contained in S. 580 1 Local school agency would not have been eligible to receive funds under the provisions of S. 580. NOTE. In addition to the $2,068,744 received under Public Law 874, Rhode Island (specifically the Newport school system) received $440,000 under Public Law 815 which would have been unaffected by the provisions of S. 580. Senator PELL. The subcommittee is recessed until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. (Whereupon, at 12:20 p.m., the subcommittee recessed, to reconvene: Friday, June 14, 1963, at 10 a.m.) EDUCATION LEGISLATION—1963 FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1963 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to recess, at 10:15 a.m. in room 4232, New Senate Office Building, Senator Wayne Morse (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Present: Senators Morse and Javits. Also present: Senator Fong of Hawaii. Committee staff members present: Stewart McClure, chief clerk; Charles Lee, professional staff member of the subcommittee; Michael J. Bernstein, minority counsel; and Ray D. Hurley, associate minority counsel. Senator MORSE. Senator, I am terribly sorry, but I want you to know that I have been taking care of mutual constituents— constituents of Hawaii as well as Oregon. I got here as fast as I could. Please accept my apology. We are delighted to have you with us. Please proceed in your own way. STATEMENT OF HON. HIRAM L. FONG, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF HAWAII Senator FONG. Mr. Chairman, I am delighted at the opportunity to appear before you in connection with the very important subject of education. It is impossible to overemphasize the role of education in the success of America and our form of government. Ours is a very difficult kind of government to function successfully. Only an educated citizenry can do it. Fortunately, our constitutional system has built-in incentives which encourage individuals to obtain an education and to improve themselves. This not only helps them individually but collectively helps our Nation, for America is the sum and substance of all her people. Our system recognizes that our human resources are our Nation's most important asset and must be developed to the highest extent. Our schools are a vital part of this system in that they offer individuals the opportunity to improve their minds and skills, to become better workers and better citizens, to broaden their horizons, and enrich their lives with fullness of knowledge. Improving our schools will help greatly to develop further our human resources. |