Bill Clinton

“ In 1994, America celebrates the continuing creation of and support for programs that, by definition, are character-building-from our proud military units and law enforcement groups to our new National Service program, AmeriCorps. As we seek to instill important values in a new generation of Americans, we must redouble our efforts to improve student learning, responsibility, and sense of belonging. We must revitalize the American ideal of community if our schools are to achieve their full potential. Adults, children, teachers-all of us must set an example. All of us can make a new beginning. ”

“ The process of building moral values begins with the family, and we must all aid parents by demonstrating to our young people that hard work, honesty, and responsibility are essential in all of our endeavors. ”

“ Educate America Act" will, in the years ahead, give parents, teachers, and concerned citizens in every local school district the opportunity to come together to define what they want their schools to achieve for their children, not just through high academic standards, but also through setting high standards of compassion, understanding, and community involvement. New civic standards addressing the entire community, in addition to voluntary national standards, will serve as catalysts in this process, helping to better educate students to be more responsible citizens in the years to come. ”