Ronald Reagan

“ American Education Week offers all Americans an invitation to reflect on the importance of education to our Nation, not only to its prosperity but to the proper functioning of our whole system of government. It invites each of us to play a part in the national commitment to sound education and to the constant striving to improve the institutions that provide education at every level, from pre-school through graduate school. ”

“ American Education Week is a time for all Americans to seek to do something to further the cause of education-whether by involvement in parent-teacher groups, contributions to private educational institutions, serving on local school boards, participation in adult education programs, furthering the utilization of libraries and museums, or any similar activity. For educators it is a time to rededicate themselves to what is surely one of the noblest of callings ”

“ Our Founding Fathers shared the insight of an ancient sage that "only the educated are free," and they took to heart the inspired maxim that it is the truth which sets us free. To them it was clear that since here the people would rule, the people must have the means to understand the issues and to make wise decisions. As James Madison put it: "On the diffusion of education among the people rest the preservation and perpetuation of our free institutions." ”