Jimmy Carter

“ Only by making this commitment can we pass on a tradition of educational excellence and equal opportunity to Americans of the twenty-first century and give them the tools they will need to shape their own interpretations of the American dream and make their own contributions to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. ”

“ In the twentieth century, education has become available to Americans of all ages, both inside the classroom and through a widening range of facilities and technological aids that allow them to pursue whatever skills and knowledge they might wish from childhood through old age. ”

“ Throughout our history, Americans have been committed to the ideas of education and learning. In the eighteenth century, the law often decreed that land be set aside in each township for public schools. ”

“ As a people, let us dedicate ourselves anew to building an educational system which will cherish young people, instill self-discipline and prepare students for tomorrow's world; which will encourage scientific curiosity and foster artistic creativity ”

“ Now, to meet the needs of the generations to come, we have established a Department of Education to express our national commitment to education, to promote equal educational opportunity, to assist local authorities in their efforts to improve our schools, and to administer Federal education programs more efficiently. ”