"I want President Bush to know he can count on support in Congress. To maintain our competitive edge in the global marketplace, America must have a well-educated work force.
"For example, this week I'm introducing two legislative proposals to make higher education more affordable via the tax code. Technical expertise and college degrees are at a premium in today's super-charged workplaces. The tax code shouldn't get in the way of anybody learning what they need to get ahead and to stay ahead. The first of two bipartisan bills I'm introducing would make the interest on student loans permanently deductible. The second is a measure to make permanent the tax-free status of the tuition that employees receive from their employers.
"States like Texas have proven that the public schools perform better when they have the proper challenge. The program proposed today by the President is not one that gives up on the public schools, but instead encourages public schools to make progress, measure the progress, and meet certain minimum standards. It's the kind of thing that's worked in Milwaukee and Houston.
"In particular, I like the way that President Bush's plan emphasizes the importance of helping kids in the very early years become better readers because we've found that reading success is such a critically important element of learning."