February 4, 1999 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 1915 whom were musically inclined. In the 1950’s Mr. Francois will be missed by AASHTO as Clearly, standards of behavior and content he and his brother Tommy emigrated to New well as the people of Prince George’s County. must be established and enforced at the state York to pursue acting careers. It seemed the Mr. Francois has the vision of an all-purpose and local level by those who are directly elect- brothers were destined however, to make their reformer. I know my colleagues will join with ed and accountable to parents and the com- mark not as thespians but as musicians. Later, me in congratulating Francis Francois and his munity. Federal cooption must give way to in- their brother Liam was to join Paddy and Tom, family on his retirement and wishing them all creased parental authority. Parents must insist with Tommy Makem they created The Clancy the best as Mr. Francois enters what we all lessons and reading materials state facts and Brothers and Tommy Makem. The Clancy hope will be his most exciting adventures to relate values they know to be true. They Brothers were known for their incredible har- date. should vote for school board members who monies and their energetic concerts. These f hold their convictions and parents should at- talents were quickly recognized, and they built tend board meetings to stay connected to the a loyal fan base, playing folk clubs in Green- EDUCATION STANDARDS process. wich Village. The authority of parents to direct their chil- In 1961 they gained national notoriety fol- HON. BOB SCHAFFER dren’s education remains threatened however, lowing an incredible 16-minute set on The Ed OF COLORADO at least until zeal for federalization is extin- Sullivan Show. Their music defied definition. It IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES guished. The 105th Congress voted to keep was both beautiful and raucous at once. They Thursday, February 4, 1999 education standards in hands of parents and blended American folk music with traditional the community last year. Congress must con- Irish forms. Paddy was equally capable of Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, the Novem- tinue to stand up for the freedom of local singing an Irish drinking song or an elegant ber elections and impeachment trial have teachers to teach, and the liberty of our chil- ballad. Paddy and the Clancies also per- overshadowed a little-known victory for Colo- dren to learn. formed with Bob Dylan and Barbra Streisand. rado schools. Congress succeeded in blocking f The Clancies were able to expose Americans the President’s efforts to consolidate national to the glorious music of Ireland and still incor- education standards and testing for local SYRACUSE SERVED BY INTRODUC- porate American folk into their music. schools under the authority of the federal gov- TION OF ‘‘NEW NEWSPAPER’’ 100 Ladies and gentlemen, the contributions ernment. YEARS AGO made by Paddy Clancy to music were incred- Many parents and educators have been ible. I ask you to join me today in remem- concerned about federalizing education meas- HON. JAMES T. WALSH bering this fine musician. urements, content, and curriculum since the OF NEW YORK f inception of Goals 2000 in 1994. While the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES need for standards and accountability is clear, Thursday, February 4, 1999 FRANCIS FRANCOIS, A DEDICATED concerns arise when one considers who will Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, one century ago, PUBLIC SERVANT set the standards. on January 1, 1899, Central New Yorkers Under Goals 2000 legislation, unelected were treated to a new newspaper, The Post- HON. STENY H. HOYER Washington bureaucrats set the standards. Al- Standard. That paper, one of a half-dozen at OF MARYLAND though we hope the government will come up the time, remains today. Now it is one of two IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES with reasonable and fair education bench- papers, and the only morning newspaper. I Thursday, February 4, 1999 marks, in reality, there are big differences be- want to ask my colleagues to join me in con- tween what Washington experts prescribe and Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ac- gratulating the management and staff at this what parents want their kids to be taught. knowledge the retirement of Francis B. Fran- important milestone. This dilemma is no better illustrated than in cois; Executive Director of the American Asso- In particular, I would like to congratulate the the case of the National History Standards al- ciation of State Highway and Transportation top management, Mr. Stephen Rogers and Mr. ready developed under Goals 2000. Initial Officials (AASHTO). Stephen A. Rogers, the President and Pub- standards for American history did not mention Mr. Francois will retire in February after 19 lisher respectively, for their well-known civic some of the most prominent figures of Amer- years with AASHTO. In addition, during his leadership and faithful adherence to the best ican history including Paul Revere, the Wright tenure he also served on the Executive Com- of principles of journalism in the United States. mittee of the Transportation Research Board. Brothers, or George Washington’s presidency. With the stewardship of a newspaper comes Francis Francois was born and raised on an They did, however, encourage the study of an important and historic responsibility. In the Iowa farm and earned an engineering degree Mansa Musa, a West African king in the 14th attached editorial, it is mentioned that a news- at Iowa State University and then went on to Century. paper must be profitable to survive. But the earn a law degree at the George Washington Not surprisingly, the standards were unduly newspaper must be sensitive to its special sta- University. A registered patent attorney, Mr. critical of capitalism and our European found- tus in our nation’s history. It is protected Francois resides in Bowie, MD with his wife ers. Even members of the Clinton administra- mightily by the First Amendment, and its right Eileen where they have raised five children. tion and the press found the standards objec- to print news and opinion without fear of ret- Known as a skilled parliamentarian, Mr. tionable. The standards have subsequently ribution from any governmental quarter is Francois served 18 years as an elected official been revised. unique in the world. in Prince George’s County including nine as a Placing government in charge of standards Though we in this body are often at odds County Councilman. While serving the County, is certain to include not only content require- with newspapers, we know their value and we Mr. Francois was a member of many boards ments—the who, what, where, why, and how know they represent a fundamental tenet of and associations including the National Asso- of history, science, math and so on—but also freedom. I have included the attached edi- ciation of Counties and the Board of Directors subjective standards such as ‘‘students must torial, which appeared January 1 this year, of the Metropolitan Washington Area Transit demonstrate high order thinking or appreciate commemorating the centennial recognition of Authority. Having the vision for a regional ap- diversity.’’ Suppose students are held to a The Post-Standard. proach to solving problems, he earned the standard which defies lessons their parents ‘‘CENTENNIAL POST: Your morning reputation of being ‘‘Mr. Goodwrench’’ and have taught them? What if teachers are forced paper is 100 today, still pursuing much the ‘‘Mr. Fixit.’’ to teach what they know to be false or coun- same mission. ‘A legitimate primary aim of Mr. Speaker, Mr. Francois is a person dedi- terproductive? Will government curricula re- the newspaper is to make money.’ cated to solving problems, serving people and place that which locally elected school boards Thus read the editorial that appeared in setting plans in motion. In 1973, Mr. Francois have chosen? the inaugural edition of The Post-Standard was named ‘‘Washingtonian of the Year’’ by If adopted, national education priorities will 100 years ago today. The principle remains true today. As the editorial noted, quoting the Washingtonian magazine. He is also well reflect not the community nor parental values, an editor-senator from Rhode Island: ‘‘A published on such topics as the important role but those of Washington. Given the atmos- paper that cannot support itself cannot be of counties in state government, urban water phere of political and pervasive corruption in any service . to spend money upon it is resources and the responsibility of regional Washington, can we afford such influence in like wasting fuel in an attempt to kindle a decisionmaking. our classrooms? store. ’’ VerDate Aug 04 2004 10:43 Sep 27, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\E04FE9.000 E04FE9 1916 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 4, 1999 The Post-Standard boasts a tradition that vide occasional lessons in a rented apartment. nology into the curriculum and emphasized extends back more than a century—to The Two hundred and sixty students are now en- teacher education. Recently, Central has been Post, which traces its origins to 1894, and rolled in the school, and the erection of the named the state’s lead institution in profes- The Standard, dating to 1829, decades before the founding of the City of Syracuse. The new building will provide the opportunity for sional technology. consolidation of the two newspapers was de- one hundred and twenty more students to en- Dr. Elliott became Central Missouri State’s scribed as a victory over ‘factionalism’ in roll in this outstanding educational program. 12th president on July 1, 1985, after serving Onondaga County and the ascendancy of ‘a The school has received all of the edu- for three years as president of Wayne State Republican newspaper, dedicated to the pub- cational licenses required, and is permitted to College in Wayne, NE.