House Approves Education Funding

Pomona Unified School District to Receive $1 Million to Combat Illiteracy

December 19, 2001

WASHINGTON - Declaring its passage “a victory for comprehensive education reform,” Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, voted today to approve funding for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. The Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act Conference Report, H.R. 3061, provides FY02 funding for the President’s Leave No Child Behind Act, H.R. 1, workforce investment and health services and research. H.R. 3061 passed by a strong bipartisan vote of 393-30.

“This measure funds programs that are improving lives and educating our children,” said Dreier. “With $1 million for the Pomona Unified School District’s Literacy Technology Center, H.R. 3061 will ensure that teachers, staff and parents develop the skills necessary to teach students to read and write effectively. It also recognizes the importance of financial literacy legislation, by dedicating nearly $5 million to the development of curriculum that will prepare America’s students for success in the 21st century economy.”

H.R. 3061 increases federal funding for education programs by 16 percent. The largest increases were targeted towards poor and minority students, and programs to support disabled students. In addition, the conference report supports Department of Labor programs that include unemployment insurance, worker safety, and job training. Medical research at the National Institutes of Health and community health center programs will each receive a 15 percent increase in funding with passage of H.R. 3061.

Dreier commended Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Ralph Regula (R-OH) and Ranking Member David Obey (D-WI) for crafting a bipartisan bill. “H.R. 3061 provides generous support for important health and labor programs and delivers on the promise the President and Congress made to America, that education would be at the top of the agenda,” said Dreier.