THAT THIS MATTER STILL REMAINS TO BE RESOLVED BY EITHER THIS
           SENATE IN THIS SESSION OR AT A LATER TIME, BECAUSE THE
           CONTRIBUTION OF THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY IS SUCH THAT WE SIMPLY
           CANNOT ALLOW IT TO STRANGLE ON ITS OWN WASTE WITHOUT A VIABLE
           ALTERNATIVE. AND WE REAL DELI HAVE THAT ALTERNATIVE. I YIELD
           THE FLOOR. I THANK THE LEADER FOR HIS COURTESY. AND I WISH THE

           PRESIDING OFFICER A GOOD DAY. MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT?
           
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM NEVADA.
           

           MR. REID: IF THE LEADER DOESN'T MIND -- I SEE HIM STANDING --
           MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD ALSO EXTEND MY HAND OF CONGRATULATIONS
           TO THE SENATOR FROM ALASKA. HE'S BEEN A GENTLEMAN DURING THIS
           ENTIRE DEBATE, AND WE'VE APPRECIATED HIS COURTESIES. WE ALSO
           APPRECIATE THE LEADER IN WORKING OUT A TIME ARRANGEMENT FOR US
           THAT SAVED EVERYBODY A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT. AND ALSO OF
           COURSPART OF THE WAIT WAS SO THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF
           REPUBLICANS THAT WERE MISSING LAST WEEK, AND WE THOUGHT IT
           WOULD BE APPROPRIATE THAT THEY WOULD BE HERE WHEN THE VOTE TOOK
           PLACE. NOW, WE'RE IN A PARLIAMENTARY POSITION NOW WHERE THE

           LEADER AT ANY TIME THAT HE DESIRES CAN CALL THIS FORWARD. IT IS
           A NONDEBATABLE MOTION TO PROCEED. I WOULD HOPE, HOWEVER, THAT
           THE LEADER WOULD CONTINUE THE GOOD FAITH THAT HAS BEEN SHOWN BY
           ALL PARTIES ON THIS ISSUE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS -- NOT JUST THIS
           YEAR -- AND THAT IF IN FACT SOMETHING COMES UP BECAUSE OF
           TRAVEL OR ILLNESS, THAT THE LEADER WOULD GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY
           -- AN OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW WHEN THIS MATTER WOULD COME FORWARD.
           

           MR. LOTT: MR. PRESIDENT, WOULD THE SENATOR YIELD?
           MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME ASSURE THE SENATOR AND THE SENATORS FROM
           NEVADA THAT WE HAVE PROCEEDED IN GOOD FAITH ON BOTH SIDES OF
           THE AISLE ON THIS ISSUE FROM DAY ONE. I'VE ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD
           HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS -- HOW DIFFICULT IT IS FOR THE SENATORS
           FROM NEVADA. I ALSO UNDERSTAND ON THE OTHER SIDE HOW IMPORTANT
           THIS ISSUE IS TO SENATORS ALL ACROSS AMERICA THAT HAVE NUCLEAR
           WASTE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE ATES, IN COOLING POOLS OR IN
           POSITIONS OF -- CONDITIONS OF UNCERTAINTY WHERE SOMETHING NEEDS

           TO BE DONE. BUT THERE WILL NOT BE A SURPRISE ON THIS ISSUE. IF
           THERE WAS A DECISION MADE THAT WE WOULD NEED TO RECONSIDER, IT
           WOULDN'T BE BASED ON ABSENTEES OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. BUT
           I DO THINK THAT IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND IT IS SO CLOSE
           NOW -- REALLY ONE VOTE -- THAT, YOU KNOW, KEEPING OPEN THAT
           OPTION FOR A WHILE LONGER IS WORTHWHILE. BUT I'LL CERTAINLY
           NOTIFY SENATOR REID, SENATOR BRYAN, AS I HAVE IN THE PAST,
           BEFORE I WOULD PROCEED ON THAT.
           

           MR. REID: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. PRESIDENT. MR. LOTT: FLP?
           
           

           A SENATOR: MR. PRESIDENT, WOULD YOU YIELD?
           
           

           MR. LOTT: YES.
           

           MR. BRYAN: I WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR YOUR FORTH
           FORTHRIGHTNESS INDICATING THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO ACCOMMODATE
           EACH OTHER IN TERMS OF THE TIME. YOU HAVE A DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
           TO MAINTAIN. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT FOR SENATOR REID AND FOR ME
           AND NOR NEVADANS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. WE THINK IT IS
           IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTRY. I APPRECIATE THE SPIRIT OF YOUR
           RESPONSE AND LET ME JUST SAY THAT I APPRECIATE THE SPIRIT IN
           WHICH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENERGY COMMITTEE HAS CONDUCTED THIS
           DEBATE. WE DISAGREE, BUT HE, AS WELL, HAS BEEN COURTEOUS AND I
           THINK VERY RESPONSIBLE IN THE ENGS CHANGE OF. I WOULD LIKE TO

           THANK THREE MEMBERS OF MY STAFF WHO HAVE DONE JUST AN
           EXTRAORDINARY JOB
           
           JOB: ROD BRICKTER, AN JEAN NEIL AND JOE BERRY WHO HAVE WORKED
           ON THIS ISSUE FOR US AND WITH US FOR THESE MANY MONTHS. SOME
           FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HEM TORE FOR THEIR
           EFFORTS. AND AGAIN I THANK THE LEADER FOR HIS COMMITMENT AND I
           WOULD YIELD THE FLOOR.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE MAJORITY LEADER.
           

           MR. LOTT: I BELIEVE THE BENDING BUSINESS IS THE EDUCATION
           OPPORTUNITIES ACT. IS THAT CORRECT?
           
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THAT IS CORRECT.
           

           MR. LOTT: MR. PRESIDENT, AS WE GET READY TO RESUME GENERAL
           DEBATE ON THIS ISSUE, LET ME SAY AGAIN HOW IMPORTANT THIS ISSUE
           OBVIOUSLY IS IN AMERICA. PEOPLE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY IN EVERY
           STATE PUT THE HIGHEST PRIORITY ON THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE
           QUALITY OF OUR EDUCATION, TO HAVE SAFE AND DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS TO
           HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY, TO HAVE REWARDS FOR GOOD TEACHERS, AND TO
           HAVE A WAY OF MAKING SURE THAT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS BASED ON
           LEARNING AND THAT IT'S CHILD-CENTERED. I THINK THIS LEGISLATION
           DOES THAT. I LISTENED YESTERDAY -- AND PARTICIPATED IN THE
           DEBATE -- AND I THOUGHT THERE WAS SOME EXCELLENT DEBATE, A

           NUMBER OF SENATORS CAME TO THE FLURE AND MADE STATEMENTS. I
           DON'T KNOW HOW MANY, BUT PROBABLY 12 TO 15 SENATORS SPOKE
           YESTERDAY. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SENATORS ON BOTH SIDES THAT
           WISH TO SPEAK FURTHER TODAY. NOW, THERE'S SOME LEGITIMATE
           DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT HOW TO PROCEED IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF
           EDUCATION IN AMERICA AND THE ACCESSIBILITY OF EDUCATION.
           LEGITIMATE DISAGREEMENTS. THERE ARE THOSE THAT SAY THE CURRENT
           SYSTEM IS WORKING FINE. WE OUGHT TO KEEP IT JUST THE WAY IT IS.
           I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE SAY THE FEDERAL
           GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE SOME CONTROL AND SOME DICTATES OR THE
           RIGHT THING WOVENTESZE BE DONE BY THE STATES OR THE LOCAL

           SCROOL DISTRICTS, ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS. I DON'T AGREE WITH
           THAT. YOU ABOUT I THINK IT IS LEGITIMATE TO HAVE A DEBATE
           BECAUSE WE'VE SPENT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS SINCE 1965 TRYING TO
           HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN AMERICA, AND THE TEST
           SCORES SHOW THAT WE ARE, AT BEST, HOLDING OUR OWN AND SLIPPING
           IN A NUMBER OF CRITICAL AREAS. WE NEED TO THINK OUTSIDE THE
           BOX. WE NEED TO THINK OF DIFFERENT AND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO
           PROVIDE A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN OUR AMERICA. THAT CALLS FOR
           FLEXIBILITY IN HOW THE FUNDS ARE USED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT

           CALLS FOR REWARDS FOR GOOD TEACHERS BUT ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL
           TEACHERS AND FOR STUDENTS. I THINK WE NEED TOMORROW EVIDENCE
           WITH THE FLEXIBILITY THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE ACTUALLY MAKING
           PROGRESS SO THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DEBATE AS WE GO FORWARD. I'M
           GLAD WE'RE HAVING IT. WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF OUR TIME THIS YEAR
           IN THE SENATE ON EDUCATION. WE PASSED THE EDUCATION SAVINGS
           ACCOUNT BILL EARLIER THIS YEAR TO ALLOW PARENTS TO BE ABLE TO
           SAVE FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S FLEEDS, THEIR OWN MONEY FOR THEIR
           CHILDREN, K-12. NOW, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS CONTINUED DEBATE

           AND AMENDMENTS ON THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT
           AND LATER ON THIS YEAR, WHEN WE GET TO THE LABOR, H.H.S. AND
           EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS BILL, I'M SURE WE'RE GOING HAVE SOME
           GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FUND LEVEL FOREHIGHER EDUCATION --
           LOAN RS GRANTS, THE WORK STUDY PROGRAM. WE NEED THE WHOLE
           PACKAGE TO IMPROVE EDUCATION, TO MAKE OUR CHILDREN CAPABLE OF
           BEING ABLE TO COMPETE IN THE WORLD MARKET TO BE TRAINED TO DO
           THE JOB THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE A GOOD LIVING FOR THEIR
           FAMILIES. AND SO THIS IS IMPORTANT TO THE DEBATE. I'M GLAT WE

           GOT AN AGREEMENT TO STAY ON GENERAL DEBATE TODAY. WE'RE HOPING
           TO GO FORWARD TOMORROW WITH THE FIRST FOUR AMENDMENTS ON
           EDUCATION -- TWO ON EACH SIDE -- SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME
           LEGITIMATE DEBATE ABOUT HOW TO BEST HELP EDUCATION IN AMERICA
           AND HELP LEARNING FOR OUR CHILDREN IN AMERICA. BUT I'M WORRIED
           ABOUT A LOT OF WHAT I'M HEARING. I'M HEARING THAT THERE MAY BE
           AMENDMENTS TO THE EDUCATION BILL ON EVERYTHING FROM AGRICULTURE
           TO NCAA GAMBLING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM TO MINIMUM WAGE, TO

           GUNS -- I MEAN, WHERE IS THE LIMIT O ALL THE SUBJECTS THAT
           COULD BE BE, YOU KNOW, RAISED ON AN ISSUE THAT IS NUMBER ONE IN
           THE MINDS OF AMERICAN PEOPLE -- EDUCATION?
           BUT WE'RE NOT STARTING OFF BY SAY, WE'RE NOT GOING DO THIS,
           WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT. WE'RE STARTING. WE'RE GOING
           FORWARD. WE'RE STARTING IN KINDERGARTEN, GOING TO THE FIRST
           GRADE. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE GENERAL DEBATE, SOME EDUCATION
           AMENDMENTS AND TAKE STOCK OF WHERE WE ARE. IF THERE IS A CENTER
           GROUND THAT MUST AND SHOULD BE FOUND IN AMERICA ON ANY SUBJECT,

           IT IS EDUCATION. WHAT WE HAVE, THE STATUS QUO, IS NOT WORKING
           GOOD ENOUGH. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A ROLE. WE NEED FOR IT
           TO BE A MORE POSITIVE ROLE AND A RESULTS-ORIENTED ROLE. SO
           LET'S HAVE THE DEBATE. LET'S HAVE AMENDMENTS ON EDUCATION. BUT
           I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WILL NOT MAKE
           THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION A PIECE OF FLY PAPER TO ATTRACT
           EVERY AMENDMENT THAT IS FLYING AROUND IN THIS CHAMBER. IT WOULD
           BE A TERRIBLE DISCREDIT TO A VITAL ISSUE IN THE MINDS AND

           HEARTS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. I YIELD THE FLOOR.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM VERMONT.
           

           MR. JEFFORDS: WE ARE ABOUT TO COMMENCE FURTHER DEBATE ON THE
           ESEA, THE ELEMENTARY-SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT. I THINK IT IS
           IMPORTANT THAT WE DO SPEND THIS TIME ON GENERAL DEBATE BECAUSE
           IT IS A BIG BILL, AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF VERY IMPORTANT
           PROBLEMS TO BE DISCUSSED AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL REACH A
           CONSENSUS AT SOME POINT SO THAT THE BILL WOULD PASS. I WOULD
           JUST LIKE TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A MOMENT UNTIL OTHERS HAVE
           ARRIVED HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE ROLE OF TEACHERS AND OIFERTSS TO
           IMPROVE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OF YOUNG PEOPLE. S. 2

           INCLUDES SOME IMPORTANT CHANGES RELATED TO CRITICAL JOBS
           PROVIDING TEACHERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE THEIR
           PROFESSIONAL SKILLS. SUPPORTING OUR NATION'S TEACHERS MUST BE
           AT THE FOUNDATION OF OUR EDUCATION REFORM EFFORTS BECAUSE THE
           BETTER OUR NATION'S TEACHERS ARE, THE BETTER CHANCE OUR
           NATION'S STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO MAKE THE GRADE IN THE 21ST
           CENTURY. A 1999 SURVEY BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ON
           THE PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS
           REPORTED THAT CONTINUED LEARNING IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION IS

           KEY TO BUILDING EDUCATORS' CAPACITY FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING
           PARTICULARLY IN A PROFLESE PROFESSION WHERE THE DEMAND ARE
           CHANGE AND EXPANDING. AN INVESTMENT MADE IN OUR NATION'S
           TEACHERS IS AWISE ONE AND WE NEED TO MAKE WISE INVESTMENTS WITH
           OUR FEDERAL RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT THE FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR
           PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT ACTIVITIES THAT WILL FOSTER
           IMPROVEMENTS IN TEACHING AND LEARNING THAT BENEFIT STUDENTS IN
           THE CLASSROOM. OUR NATION'S CLASSROOMS ARE CHANGING. ALL ACROSS

           THIS COUNTRY, STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO LEARN TO HIGHER
           STANDARDS AND PERFORM AN INCREASINGLY CHALLENGING LEVEL. WE
           WILL NEVER GET STUDENTS TO WHERE THEY "NEED TO BE" UNLESS OUR
           NATION'S TEACHERS HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE BASE TO TEACH TO THOSE
           DEMANDING STANDARDS. WHILE THERE IS NEAR TOTAL AGREEMENT THAT
           STRONG, CAPABLE TEACHERS ARE THE ONES THAT WILL MAKE THE MOST
           SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANT, POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE EDUCATION
           OF OUR NATION'S STUDENTS, WE HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH TO HELP THEM

           BE AT THE TOP OF THEIR GAME. THERE ARE STILL TOO MANY TEACHERS,
           EDUCATORS TEACHING OUTSIDE OF THEIR FIELD OF EXPERTISE. TOO
           OFTEN, TEACHERS ARE OFFERED ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS THAT DO LITTLE TO
           IMPROVE TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM. PROFESSIONAL
           DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES OFTEN LACK THE CONNECTION ON -- TO THE
           EVERY EVERYDAY CHALLENGES AT TEACHERS FACE IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.
           THE MOST RECENT EVALUATION OF THE EISENHOWER PROFESSIONAL

           DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM NOTES THAT "THE NEED FOR HIGH-QUALITY
           PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT FOCUSES ON SUBJECT-MATTER CONTENT
           AND HOW STUDENTS LEARN THAT CONTENT IS ALL THE MORE PRESSING IN
           LIGHT OF THE MANY TEACHERS WHO TEACH OUTSIDE OF THEIR AREAS OF
           SPECIALIZATION SPECIALIZATION." TITLE 2 OF THIS BILL ADDRESSES
           THE SERIOUS DEFICIENCIES IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HEAD-ON.
           AS S. 2 DRAWS ON THE STRONGEST ELEMENTS OF THE EISENHOWER
           DRAMATIC WHILE INCLUDING AUTHORITY FOREOTHER INITIATIVES THAT
           HAVE IMPACT ON TEACHER QUALITY. THE BILL PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY

           TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF
           INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS, THROUGH PROGRAMS SUCH AS RECRUITMENT AND
           HIRING INITIATIVES. TEACHER MENTORING AND RETENTION INITIATIVES
           AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. IT PROHIBITS FEDERAL
           DOLLARS FROM BEING USED FOR ONE-SHOT WORKSHOPS THAT HAVE BEEN
           CRITICIZED FOR BEING RELATIVELY INFECTIVE BECAUSE THEY ARE
           USUALLY SHORT-TERM, LACKING IN CONTINUITY, LACKING INADEQUATE
           FOLLOW-UP, AND TYPICALLY ISOLATED FROM THE PARTICIPANTS'

           CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL CONTEXT. THE BILL BEFORE THE SENATE
           PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES -- $2 BILLION -- TO SCHOOL
           DISTRICTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TEACHING IN THE CLASSROOM.
           IT COMBINES FUNDS AND AUTHORITIES FROM THE EISENHOWER PROGRAM
           AND THE CLASS-SIZE REDUCTION PROGRAM IN AN EFFORT TO GIVE
           SCHOOL DISTRICTS THE FLEXIBILITY THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE
           DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT INVESTMENTS IN TEACHER QUALITY WILL HAVE
           THE GREATEST IMPACT ON LEARNING IN THEIR SCHOOLS. IN AN EFFORT
           TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY A POINT
           THAT HAS BEEN MADE BY MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE

           AISLE WITH REGARD TO HIRING TEACHERS. THE LANGUAGE IN TITLE 2
           MAKES IT VERY CLEAR THAT ONLY CERTIFIED OR LICENSED TEACHERS
           CAN BE HIRED UNDER THIS PROGRAM. I WOULD LIKE TO READ FROM THE
           TEXT OF THE BILL ON PAGE 210, SECTION 2031()1. "EACH LOCAL
           EDUCATION AGENCY THAT RECEIVES A SUBGRANT TO CARRY OUT THIS
           SUBPART MAY USE THE FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SUBGRANT
           TO CARRY
           
           OUT THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: (1) RECRUITING AND HIRING

           CERTIFIED OR LICENSED TEACHERS, INCLUDING TEACHERS CERTIFIED
           THROUGH STATE AND LOCAL ALTERNATIVE ROUTES NOORD TO REDUCE
           CLASS SIZE OR HIRING SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS." THIS LANGUAGE
           IS VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD AND TO THE POINT. IF YOU USE TITLE 2
           FUNDS FOR HIRING TEACHERS, THEY MUST BE CERTIFIED OR LICENSED.
           THERE HAS BEEN SOME CRITICISM ABOUT WHAT KIND OF PROFESSIONAL
           DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS CAN BE SUPPORTED UNDER THIS BILL. THE
           LANGUAGE IN S. 2 IS VERY STRONG ON THIS POINT. THE BILL ENSURES
           THAT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDED WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS BE

           RELATED TO THE CURRICULUM AND TIED TO THE ACADEMIC SUBJECT THE
           TEACHER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TEACHING. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
           MUST BE TIED TO CHALLENGING STATE OR LOCAL STANDARDS, TIED TO
           STRATEGIES THAT DEMONSTRATE EFFECTIVENESS IN IMPROVING STUDENT
           ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, AND STUDENT PERFORMANCE, A PROJECT THAT
           WILL SUBSTANTIVELY INCREASE THE KNOWLEDGE AND TEACHING SKILLS
           OF THE TEACHER TEACHER. THEY MUST BE DEVELOPED WITH EXTENSIVE
           PARTICIPATION OF TEACHERS AND OTHER EDUCATORS AND MUST BE OF
           SUFFICIENT INTENSITY AND DURATION THAT TO HAVE A POSITIVE AND

           LASTING IMPACT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF A TEACHER IN THE
           CLASSROOM. IT PROHIBITS ONE CHILD, ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS UNLESS
           THEY ARE PART OF A LONG-TERM, COREHENSIVE PROGRAM. THIS BILL,
           FOR PERHAPS THE FIRST TIME IN FEDERAL LAW, MAKES IT CRYSTAL
           CLEAR THAT FEDERAL FUNDS MUST BE USED FOR
{END: 2000/05/02 TIME: 16-00 , Tue.  106TH SENATE, SECOND SESSION}