Kennedys, Kerry Display Party Unity in Boston

BOSTON, MA--In a show of Democratic Party solidarity, Massachusetts' two senators and three of its representatives attended the Budget Priorities Forum on Education at Northeastern University yesterday morning.

The politicians joined local educators and administrators in a 90-minute panel discussion about proposed Congressional budget cuts.

The discussion featured short speeches by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy '54-'56, Sen. John F. Kerry, and Reps. J. Joseph Moakley, Joseph P. Kennedy II and Richard E. Neal, all of whom attacked proposed cuts in funding for education.

Boston Mayor Tom Menino introduced the panel to the audience of 150, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) made the closing speech.

At the panel, educators told legislators that Massachusetts public schools will face a 17 percent funding cutback if Congress passes the proposed Republican budget.

According to speakers, the budget would increase class size, decrease available classroom technology and altogether eliminate programs like Goals 2000 and the National Service Program.

The budget would also remove up to 25 percent of funding for Head Start, the School-to-Work-Program, Pell Grants and the federal government's direct student loan program.

Kerry, who faces a tough challenge this year from Gov. William F. Weld '66 in order to hold on to his seat, was the first to address the importance of maintaining high levels of federal educational funding for the future of America.

"The purpose is for [Massachusetts Congressional representatives] to be able to leave here with a better capacity to articulate to our peers in Washington and to the media here our priorities in this issue," Kerry said in his opening remarks.

Kerry attacked Republicans, particularly Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) for failing to support education.

"Some people, namely the Republicans under Newt Gingrich, want to reduce Pell Grants by 40 percent," Kerry said. "Some people think it's okay to cut the Drug Free Schools program."

"I believe every school should have sufficient numbers of computers so every student can be computer literate and we can march into the next century the way we should," Kerry continued.

Other speakers also addressed the issue of student loans. Neal deplored Republican efforts to contract, rather than expand, government-sponsored financial assistance.

Senator Kennedy reiterated Neal's emphasis on student loans, declaring that "education is where it's at, not only in our country, but in Massachusetts."

"When students that have superior abilities to go to the nation's fine universities and wonder if they have the financial resources to do it, that is a travesty," Kennedy said.

Kennedy said the large cuts would signal a perversion of America's purpose.

"When we hear that we have the largest cuts in education in the history of the nation, we have to ask where our leaders are, and what we're all going to do to change our priorities," he said.

While several speakers endorsed specific government programs, perhaps the most compelling testimony to the importance of government-funded educational initiatives was offered by Lawrence High School student Juan Baez.

Baez shared a personal story with the audience of a life on the streets, failing grades in school and a bleak outlook on life.

"I was doing stick-ups. I was on the streets. I wasn't passing school," Baez said.

His life was turned around, he said, when he was introduced to guidance counselor Liz Hjeltness, also a panel member, who placed him in the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program. After two years in the program, Baez was named to Lawrence High School's High honors list for the first time this semester.

Daschle concluded the forum by applauding Massachusetts' Democratic delegation to Congress as the "single finest delegation, and the all-star cast as far as education goes."

"If only my Republican colleagues could have been here today--to listen to [those] who already have had education make a profound difference in their lives," Daschle said. "Siphoning funds off from education relegates our children to second class opportunities and lost responsibilities.

"When we hear that we have the largest cuts in education in the history of the nation, we have to ask where our leaders are, and what we're all going to do to change our priorities," he said.

While several speakers endorsed specific government programs, perhaps the most compelling testimony to the importance of government-funded educational initiatives was offered by Lawrence High School student Juan Baez.

Baez shared a personal story with the audience of a life on the streets, failing grades in school and a bleak outlook on life.

"I was doing stick-ups. I was on the streets. I wasn't passing school," Baez said.

His life was turned around, he said, when he was introduced to guidance counselor Liz Hjeltness, also a panel member, who placed him in the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program. After two years in the program, Baez was named to Lawrence High School's High honors list for the first time this semester.

Daschle concluded the forum by applauding Massachusetts' Democratic delegation to Congress as the "single finest delegation, and the all-star cast as far as education goes."

"If only my Republican colleagues could have been here today--to listen to [those] who already have had education make a profound difference in their lives," Daschle said. "Siphoning funds off from education relegates our children to second class opportunities and lost responsibilities.