CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE

May 23, 1966

Page 11177

LIBRARY SERVICES UNDER THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT

Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, during its deliberations on Federal assistance to education in 1965, many pressing problems of our public and private schools were brought to the attention of the Congress. Among those urgent problems, we became aware that nearly 30 percent of our public schools had no school library services. Title II of the comprehensive Elementary and Secondary Education Act corrected this situation and has put millions of new books and teaching aids into the hands of young Americans.

When President Johnson signed the elementary and secondary education bill in Johnson City, Tex., on April 11, 1965, he stated that he had great expectations of what this law would mean

for all our young people.

Mr. President, I believe my colleagues will be pleased to learn of the new and exciting educational world which has been opened to the children of Van Buren, Maine. I would like to quote from a letter which I have received from Alan Madore, a student in the public schools of Van Buren:

Our school library was empty and old. Books were torn and shelves were falling down. There was no interest.

He goes on to say that as a result of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act:

Our library changed from a lonely place to an over-populated area. We now have over 2,000 books and encyclopedias. Cyclo-teachers have been used to boost our knowledge about different subjects. So many people go that we have to set up a system. From three to five and seven to nine the library is open. Students' marks have been going up and people appreciate our library. Our school has changed completely. Thanks to people like you we are enjoying it.

I believe this is an eloquent tribute from a young American whose horizons are being broadened through President Johnson's efforts toward a Great Society for America.