FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2001

LARSON SIGNS PETITION TO FORCE HOUSE TO VOTE ON SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) announced that he has signed a “discharge petition” that is designed to force the House of Representatives to consider H.R. 1076, a bipartisan school modernization bill sponsored by Rep. Nancy Johnson (CT-06) and Rep. Charles Rangel (NY-15). A discharge petition is a parliamentary procedure by which Members of Congress can bring legislation to the floor that might not otherwise be considered.

The bill would help state and local governments to modernize school buildings and reduce class sizes in rural, suburban and urban areas. The legislation reduces the massive cost of school modernization by funding tax credits to help pay the interest on $25 billion in modernization bonds.

Larson stated: “One in every four students in the United States, totaling about 11 million, attend school each day in buildings that simply are not adequate. About 3.5 million kids have to learn in schools that are classified being in ‘poor’ condition. School is a place for our children to learn, develop skills, and to grow both intellectually and socially – and that simply can’t be fully accomplished in a school that is falling apart. Along with 198 of my colleagues, I call on the Republican leadership to bring this legislation to a vote so that we can aid state and local government in the process of rebuilding the infrastructure of our schools.”

H.R. 1706, entitled “America’s Better Classrooms Act,” currently has 231 co-sponsors, which is more than enough for passage should the bill be allowed to reach the House floor for a vote. The total cost of the legislation is $1.7 billion. According to the American Institute for Architects, one in three public schools are in need of major repair.

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