Posted by Baron Greenback [216.54.16.204 - ip-216-54-16-204.coxfiber.net] on 16 June 2003 at 01.49.06 ZuluTime:

Guess who e-mailed me again today? That's right, the president of the united states of america! He had some great news to share with me. Probably because I've made it known online that education is important to me. Here goes.
     Every State Now Holding Schools Accountable,
     Thanks to President Bush's Education Law

President Bush announced that his Administration has approved every state's locally developed education accountability plan. Every plan is uniquely designed to give parents and communities the tools they need to achieve the fundamental goal of the President's bipartisan education law - making sure that every school is performing at grade level in reading and math. These plans are supported with substantial increases in education funding since President Bush came into office; in fact it is the largest federal investment in education ever in American history.

When announcing this historic accomplishment the President said, "We are now directly challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations. Under the No Child Left Behind Act, every student in this country will be held to high standards, and every school will be held accountable for results. Teachers will get the training they need to help their students achieve. Parents will get the information and choices they need to make sure their children are learning. And together we will bring the promise of quality education to every child in America."

     Get a free Parent's Guide to the No Child Left Behind Act.

Read the President's complete remarks.

Watch the President's education remarks.

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     What No Child Left Behind Does for Parents and Children

     Supports Early Learning: No Child Left Behind targets resources for early childhood education so that all youngsters get the right start on reading and math.

     Measures Student Performance: Every public school student's progress in reading and math must be measured in reading and math in each of grades 3 through 8 and at least once during high school.

     Information for Parents: States and school districts must give parents detailed report cards on schools and districts, explaining which are succeeding and why.

     Options Over Failing Schools: Children will no longer be trapped in failing schools. If a school continues to fail some children will be able to transfer to higher-performing local schools, receive free tutoring or attend after-school programs.

     More Resources for Schools: Today, public schools spend an average $7,000 a year per student. Under President Bush's leadership federal funding for education has increased 59.8% from 2000 to 2003.

     Get a free Parent's Guide to the No Child Left Behind Act.

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     Latino's Support President Bush's Nominee for
     Federal Bench, Poll Shows

The non-profit, Committee for Justice working with Opiniones Latinas has found that an overwhelming majority support the President's nomination of Miguel Estrada to be a Federal Judge despite repeated Democrat filibusters and obstruction the Senate.

The poll found that:
     94% believe it is important that Latinos are represented on the federal bench
     94% believe every nominee to a federal court deserves an up-or-down vote
     88% believe the Senate should vote on the Estrada nomination
     87% believe Miguel Estrada should be confirmed to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals
     Estrada has received the highest possible rating from the American Bar Association and is supported by 16 Hispanic organizations including LULAC, the Hispanic Bar Association, The Latino Coalition, and the Mexican American Grocers Association.

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     Excerpts from President Bush’s Remarks on Health Care Reform

Chicago, Illinois
     June 11, 2003

"We have an unprecedented opportunity to give America's seniors an up-to-date Medicare system that includes more choices and better benefits like prescription drug coverage. And for the sake of health care for all Americans, we must reform the medical liability system."

"This year we have an opportunity to seize and strengthen and -- to strengthen and improve Medicare for the sake of all our seniors. I'm here to urge Congress not to miss the opportunity. I'm here to ask for your help in making sure that Congress does not miss the opportunity."

"Health care is being transformed by drug therapies and active prevention. These are an increasingly important part of how docs treat their patients. Yet seniors with Medicare must pay for those treatments out of their own pocket, or go without them."

"Medicine is changing; Medicare is not. As many as one-third of seniors on Medicare have no drug coverage at all. It's about 900,000 -- 90,000 seniors in Chicago without any drug coverage. Because seniors don't have drug coverage for prescription drugs and preventative care, we are creating a health care system that is more expensive and less effective."

"Our seniors should have choices under Medicare, so that affordable health care plans compete for their business and, at the same time, give them the coverage they need."

"Here are the principles of the plan that I have submitted to Congress. Seniors who want to stay in the current Medicare system should have that option plus a prescription drug benefit. Seniors who want enhanced benefits -- such as more coverage for preventative care and other services -- should have that choice, as well. Seniors who like managed care plans should have that option, as well. And all low-income seniors should receive extra help, so that all seniors will have the ability to choose a Medicare option that includes a prescription drug benefit."

"We have set aside the necessary resources to make reform work. A budget I proposed, which Congress passed, provides $400 billion additional dollars to modernize Medicare and provide a prescription drug benefit."

"There are challenges in the health care system. We understand that in Washington. And we can answer those challenges with practical, sensible, compassionate reforms. That is the charge before us, and that is the charge we must keep on behalf of the American people."

I'm short on time today. I'm thinking about turning this one into a mad-lib, though. Lampoon at will.