H3018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 11, 1998 on Education and the Workforce and bility in distributing these funds, while V. Lewis, Drexler and his future NBA ordered to be printed: ensuring that the most needy school teammate, , took the To the Congress of the United States: districts receive a fair share. Cougars to the NCAA’s Final Four in I am pleased to transmit today for Moreover, because my proposal would 1982, with Clyde averaging 15.2 points your immediate consideration and en- actually appropriate the funds needed and 10.5 rebounds per game. actment the ‘‘Class-Size Reduction and to carry out the program, States and In 1983, Drexler earned first-team All- Teacher Quality Act of 1998.’’ This leg- local communities could count on America honors after leading the Cou- islative proposal would help States and these funds without the need for sepa- gars to their second straight NCAA local school districts recruit, train, and rate congressional appropriations each Final Four in the first national cham- hire 100,000 additional well-prepared year. This proposal is fully paid for pionship game. The Cougars, known as teachers in order to reduce the average within my Fiscal Year 1999 Budget, and Phi Slamma Jamma, ended the year class size to 18 in grades 1 through 3 in therefore would not reduce the budget 31–3 and won their first Southwest Con- our Nation’s public schools. It is an es- surplus. ference regular season championship sential part of our overall effort to School districts would use these with a perfect 16–0 record, and were strengthen public schools throughout funds to reduce class sizes in grades 1 ranked atop the national polls. Drexler the Nation. through 3. Just as importantly, these is the only Cougar to amass more than As schools across the Nation struggle funds would also be available for a va- 1,000 points, 900 rebounds, 300 assists, to accommodate a surge in enroll- riety of activities to ensure that stu- and 250 steals in a career. His 268 career ments, educators and parents have be- dents in the early grades receive sound steals remain as a UH record. come increasingly concerned about the and effective instruction, such as mak- A first round selection of the Port- impact of class size on teaching and ing sure that teachers know how to land Trail Blazers in 1983, Drexler led learning, particularly in the critically teach reading and other subjects effec- the team to two NBA finals and made important early grades, where students tively in small classes. the playoffs in each of his 15 seasons. A learn reading and other basic skills. This proposal includes strong ac- member of the original Olympic Dream This concern is justified: rigorous re- countability for results. Participating Team, Drexler won a gold medal in search confirms what parents and school districts would produce ‘‘report Barcelona in 1992. teachers have long believed—that stu- cards’’ documenting reductions in class Clyde was reunited with Olajuwon dents in smaller classes, especially in sizes and the achievement of their stu- when he was traded to the Rockets on the early grades, make greater edu- dents in reading, based on rigorous as- February 14, 1995, and helped lead the cational gains and maintain those sessments. Schools whose students fail Rockets to their second straight NBA gains over time. These gains occur be- to make gains in reading would be re- championship. Drexler was named one cause teachers in small classes can pro- quired to undertake corrective actions. of the NBA’s 50 all-time greatest play- vide students with more individualized In addition, the Department of Edu- ers in 1997 and made five all-NBA attention, spend more time on instruc- cation would undertake a comprehen- teams. tion and less time on discipline, and sive national evaluation of this pro- Drexler, , and John cover more material effectively. More- gram and its impact on reading Havlicek are the only players in league over, the benefits of smaller classes are achievement and teaching. history to post more than 20,100 points, greatest for poor, minority, and inner- I urge the Congress to take prompt 6,000 rebounds, and 6,000 assists. His city children, the children who often and favorable action on this proposal. 2,963 clear playoff points put him at face the greatest challenges in meeting Its enactment would help school dis- number 15 on the all-time playoff scor- high educational standards. tricts reduce class sizes in the early ing list. He also grabbed the 1,000th Smaller classes will have the great- grades and improve instruction and playoff of his career on this est impact on student learning if the achievement in reading, issues that are past Sunday, when he finished his ca- new teachers brought into the class- of major importance to parents and to reer in the NBA. room are well qualified to teach read- the Nation. On May 18, 1998, Drexler announced ing and to take advantage of smaller WILLIAM J. CLINTON. his retirement plans as he accepted the learning environments. For this rea- THE WHITE HOUSE, May 8, 1998. job as the head coach for the men’s son, my proposal emphasizes not just f program at the University class-size reduction but also profes- of . While the Rockets’ season sional development for educators, and SPECIAL ORDERS ended on a disappointing note, I’m sure it will give school districts adequate The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the City of Houston is extraordinarily time to recruit and train staff while the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- proud of the career of one of their own, phasing in smaller classes. Further- uary 7, 1997, and under a previous order Clyde Drexler. As the next chapter of more, all new teachers hired under the of the House, the following Members his career begins, what better place to program would be required to pass a will be recognized for 5 minutes each. share his talent, heart, and determina- State teacher competency test and f tion than with the Cougars and the would also have to be certified to teach City of Houston. IN RECOGNITION OF CLYDE or be making satisfactory progress to- I know that I join with all sports fans DREXLER ON HIS RETIREMENT ward full certification. in the City of Houston in looking for- FROM THE We can help all of our students learn ward to many more years of basketball AND THE NBA to read independently and well by the excitement from Clyde Drexler, and third grade, get a solid foundation in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a wish him all the best in his new en- basic skills, and reach high educational previous order of the House, the gen- deavor. standards if we start them off with tleman from Texas (Mr. BENTSEN) is f small classes and well-prepared teach- recognized for 5 minutes. ers in the early grades. Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in THE FREEDOM FROM RELIGIOUS Under my proposal, the Department proud recognition of a great athlete PERSECUTION ACT of Education would provide $20.8 billion and legend in the City of Houston, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a in mandatory appropriations over a 10- Clyde Drexler, on the occasion of his previous order of the House, the gen- year period (beginning with $1.1 billion retirement from the Houston Rockets tleman from Virginia (Mr. WOLF) is in fiscal year 1999) to States. The and the National Basketball Associa- recognized for 5 minutes. States would then distribute the funds tion. Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I want to to local school districts based on their Clyde ‘‘the Glide’’ Drexler had an im- spend a moment talking about the relative class sizes in grades 1 through pressive 15-year career in the NBA, but Freedom from Religious Persecution 3, as well as on their ability and effort many people in Houston remember him Act, H.R. 2431, which will be on the to finance class-size reductions with first from his days with the University floor for debate at the end of this week. their own resources. The bill would of in the early 1980s. The bill is bipartisan, it has over 131 provide States with considerable flexi- Under the leadership of head coach Guy cosponsors, and it was reported out of