Speech #930225567

Mr. President. I am today introducing a joint resolution to declare May 12 through 18. 1974. as "National Migrant Education Week." I do this in the interest of insuring better continuous education for migrant children and in recognition of the work to be performed at the Seventh National Conference on Migrant Education. The Nations most valuable asset. without question. is her children. They carry with them hopes for the futurebuilding tomorrows realities from todays dreams. Our record. as a nation. has been one of ever Increasing effort to meet the needs of children. and we can be justly proud of what we have done for most American children. However. the migrant child is truly Americas most disinherited child. He treks from State to State. traveling thousands of miles with his parents. His living conditions are inhuman. He is overfed and undernourished. He is exposed to deadly pesticides. with inadequate labor safety protection and inadequate health care. Migrant children must receive an equal chance to receive an education. Yet. statistics show that 90 percent of all migrant children never finish high school. They average only a fourth or fifth grade education. Slowly. progress is being made in expanding educational opportunities for these migrant children. The passage of Public Law 89750 amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include migrants under the sections of title I concerning aid to disadvantaged children. The suggestion that we recognize the educational needs of migrant children by the Seventh National Conference on Migrant Education is a valid one. But the declaration is merely an empty gesture if we do not request the President and Federal agencies affecting migrant education to conscientiously participate in these activities. We know that national observance weeks in the past have demonstrated that attention can be brought to pressing problems. Our declaration of a National Migrant Education Week will certainly demonstrate support to future educational programs to free these children from economic and educational inequalities. I urge your support for this resolution which will help us to alert others to the educational needs of these migrant children.