Remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony for Lamar Alexander As Secretary of Education March 22, 1991
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Administration of George Bush, 1991 / Mar. 22 Chief State School Officers. He served as Baptist University (B.S., 1964); Washington Nevada’s superintendent of public instruc- State University (M.A.T., 1970); and from tion and before coming to the Department the University of Nevada, Reno, (Ed.D., of Education in 1989, as State super- 1987). He is married, has four children, intendent of education in Illinois. two grandchildren, and resides in Spring- Dr. Sanders graduated from Wayland field, IL. Remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony for Lamar Alexander as Secretary of Education March 22, 1991 The President. Thank you all. Thank you, Our setting today in this great Air and Bill Carl. It’s a pleasure to be here to wit- Space Museum is a fitting site for this cere- ness the swearing-in of our new Secretary mony. It reminds us of another time when of Education, Governor Lamar Alexander. this nation set for itself a national goal, that To the members of the Cabinet—and I see of landing a man on the moon. And we so many here; distinguished Members of did it. the United States Congress—and I see Lamar Alexander understands that real many here; to former Secretaries—I’m reform, real restructuring of American edu- told—don’t spot them right now—that Bill cation can only take place at the State and Brock and Mel Laird were here. local level. And that’s one of the key reasons Let me just welcome all of you—those that I’ve asked him to become Secretary from the White House. I’d like to, at the Alexander. He knows the key to success outset of this, pay my respects to the man is to make certain education reform is na- who is going to do the honors, Judge John tional, not Federal. Nationally, we have es- Minor Wisdom, one of the most distin- tablished goals. We’re setting standards, es- guished jurists in the United States, who tablishing priorities, and in the process, is with us here today. we’re raising expectations. We must bring For a challenge of this magnitude, it is all levels of government and all Americans my very good fortune to be able to call together—parents, teachers, students, civic on a man with Lamar Alexander’s consider- and business leaders, and all interested citi- able experience. He comes to this task the zens—to achieve our goals. son of teachers. He’s served as a very valued member of our Education Policy Advisory On the Federal level, we can serve as Committee, and most recently he’s served a catalyst for change. We can point the the students of his home State as president way forward, contribute ideas, and help of the University of Tennessee. Five years States and schools meet higher, better ago, as chairman of the National Governors’ standards. Association, he piloted the 50-State edu- The Department of Education, through cation survey, ‘‘Time for Results,’’ a report research and development, can help iden- that put us on the path to the six national tify practical ways to improve teaching and education goals that guide our efforts from learning for all students. We also can create now to the year 2000. incentives for change, and we can start with As a public servant, educator, and author, freedom of choice. Lamar Alexander is a true renaissance I know this idea has generated its share man—a man with great common sense, who of controversy. But it isn’t radical; it’s com- knows what works. And he’s also one of mon sense. It rests on a principle central Tennessee’s leading philosophers. He’s got to democratic society: the idea that individ- a saying you’ve probably already heard: uals are capable of making wise decisions ‘‘Today a rooster. Tomorrow a feather dust- for themselves. In education, the concept of er.’’ [Laughter] choice recognizes that parents are the real 299 VerDate May 04 2004 13:44 Jun 23, 2004 Jkt 019194 PO 00000 Frm 00311 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 D:\91PAP1\91PAP1.005 APPS10 PsN: 91PAP1 Mar. 22 / Administration of George Bush, 1991 experts on what’s best for their kids. Bill Brock and Bill Coleman over here— Often, parents with means—families in but please stand up, we’re going to make the mid-to-upper income brackets—already you committed to this goal we’re under- have choice. They can send their children taking right now. [Laughter] to private schools or move to districts with Let me also say to you and to all the the strongest public schools. Poor parents dedicated people at this Department, Mr. don’t have these choices. So, let’s be clear Secretary: There is no single issue that de- about who can benefit the most from great- termines more about America, about our er freedom of choice. It’s poor families who dreams and our destiny, than education. will benefit most from a healthy competi- America’s future walks through the doors tion in our schools. of our schools every single day. For the With Lamar as the sparkplug, we’re going sake of that future, America can settle for to move forward towards our national goals on many fronts and reiterate our commit- nothing short of excellence in our schools. ment to educational excellence. We’re going Because of our commitment to education, to make our schools better and more ac- we’re creating a great team at the Education countable, and we’re going to reward excel- Department. Just this morning I announced lence in our teachers. And we’re going to my intention to nominate David Kearns, challenge our children to learn. And we’re chairman of Xerox, to become the Deputy going to encourage all American adults to Secretary of Education. David, would you recognize that learning is a lifelong process. please stand up? After all, learning doesn’t happen only He may be coming out of the loftiest in school. Lamar likes to talk about some- echelons of the business world, but no thing he calls the 91-percent factor: the fact American business leader has more out- that by the time the average American standing credentials or a deeper commit- youth reaches the age of 18, he’s spent 9 ment to improve education for all our chil- percent of his time in the classroom and dren. And then, I’ve asked Ted Sanders, 91 percent outside of it. We must work the former president of the country’s chief as a society to support the kind of values, State school officers and who has served culture—the vital sense of community and, so ably as Acting Secretary, a man to whom yes, citizenship—that gives real meaning to I will always be grateful, to take on the all that our children learn. new dual responsibility of Chief Financial I know some people question whether Officer, Deputy Under Secretary for Plan- we can meet the ambitious goals we’ve set ning, Budget and Evaluation, a key post. for ourselves, whether we can lower the Ted, we’re delighted. Would you please drop-out rate or rise to first rank worldwide stand for us? in math and science. Well, I’m convinced And with the help and support of the that we can. Think about this: the grad- uating class of the year 2000 is a third- dedicated professionals at the Department, grader today. Think about what it means and there are so many—many with us here to be an 8-year-old, about the world of today. And I want to thank each and every learning that lies ahead. Let’s help those one of you. I am confident now that this kids learn all they can on the journey from is a team equal to the task before us. 8 to 18, and then let’s see where they take Lamar and David were over yesterday us in the next century. and they presented me a fantastic pro- Mr. Secretary, first let me say that this, posal—how we can go about meeting these as far as I’m concerned, is going to be a national education goals. I’m excited about team effort for all of our Cabinet Depart- it. And I told them that which I want to ments. I think every Cabinet Secretary has say once again but this time to all the em- some role to play in helping you meet these ployees, those who are working at the De- educational goals. And with that in mind, partment of Education: This is priority. And I would like to ask the members of our I am committed as President to working Cabinet that are here to stand up—and the with you and to supporting you in achieving former members I do see now, Mel and these national goals. 300 VerDate May 04 2004 11:03 Jun 23, 2004 Jkt 019194 PO 00000 Frm 00312 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 D:\91PAP1\91PAP1.005 APPS10 PsN: 91PAP1 Administration of George Bush, 1991 / Mar. 22 I thank you all for being here for this thing I’m very much looking forward to. wonderful ceremony. And now it is with I also want to thank my sister Jane and great pleasure that I witness the swearing- her husband, Bill Carl, for coming from in of Secretary Lamar Alexander. Thank you Dallas. Their sons, Jeremy and David, our all very much. nephews, sent me this message: ‘‘Tell Uncle [At this point, Secretary Alexander was Lamar congratulations, and we hope this sworn in.] doesn’t mean more homework.’’ [Laughter] That made me think of how Jane and I Secretary Alexander.