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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2001

Statement

NEA President Bob Chase Remarks

News Conference on Economic Stimulus Package

America's educators are playing a critical role in reclaiming our nation's spirit. I am extremely proud of the job teachers and other school staff are doing to address children's fears, concerns and their questions about what it means to live and act responsibly and compassionately in a world rocked by terrorism. The lessons imparted in our classrooms in the past months instill hope and healing. It will provide the necessary traction in meeting the challenges our nation faces in the wake of September 11. Without it, national recovery and strength will not be possible.

National recovery and strength will also require a sustainable economic stimulus package -- one that provides immediate help to suffering families and one that moves our nation's economy toward long-term health.

Action taken on Capitol Hill this week will be a measure of our compassion for the immediate needs of America's children and working families and a measure of our responsible action for the long-term economic health of our country. Unfortunately, the current package being considered in the House is inadequate in meeting the short-term and long-term economic needs of our nation. The package includes irresponsible and costly tax cuts, no incentive for short-term personal (and family) spending, and insufficient relief for America's children and working families who are suffering economic hardship the wake of September 11.

We simply must address these common sense safety net provisions that come to the aid of children -- unemployment benefits short-term health care coverage for laid off workers and food stamp assistance for families coping without a paycheck. NEA members are acutely aware of the consequences of the economic fallout of September 11th and the effects it is having on our children. Parents without work, families without health insurance, and worries about financial futures are all absorbed by our children and keep them from learning and doing their best in school.

NEA is also seeking $20 billion for school construction to be included in the economic stimulus package currently being debated in Congress. Not only does it provide immediate help to our schools and students. It also helps create needed jobs in our communities. For every $1 billion spent in school construction, more than 23,000 jobs are created.

At a time when state budgets are strapped, Congress has an historic opportunity to repair crumbling school buildings and assist ailing state education budgets. A recent NEA study documented more than $300 billion in unmet infrastructure and technology needs -- an amount states and localities cannot meet on their own.

More than any other time in our nation, we need to be there for our kids. The best weapon against fear and uncertainty is knowledge. Education is easily the best investment we can make to foster the knowledgeable and empowered citizens whom we need now more than ever.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.