| 00:00:3917 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Thank you, Ms. Mostoller, and thanks for allowing me to visit your classroom to talk to you and all these students, and millions more in classrooms... |
| 00:00:5625 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
You know, long before I became President I was a parent. I remember the times that my kids came up with a really tough question or a difficult decision.... |
| 00:01:2135 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Let me tell you why I've made the trip up from the White House to Alice Deal Junior High. I'm not here to teach a lesson. You already have a very good... |
| 00:01:5632 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Every day, we hear more bad news about our schools. Maybe you saw today's headline, I don't know if you had a chance to look at it, about the release... |
| 00:02:2832 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
In spite of troubling statistics like this one, I don't see this report, however, as just bad news, and I'll tell you why. This report tells us a lot... |
| 00:03:0031 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
I know you've heard about stanines and percentiles, surveys and statistics, but here's what all that fancy talk really means: Education means the difference... |
| 00:03:311 min. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
I mentioned earlier the bad news we hear about schools today. But what we don't hear enough about are the success stories. You know, all over America,... |
| 00:04:4646 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
This school here works because of students like the ones with me today, students like Rachel Rusch -- where's Rachel? Right there, okay -- a member... |
| 00:05:321 min. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Progress starts when we ask more of ourselves, our schools and, yes, you, our students. We made a start nationally now by setting six National Education... |
| 00:06:4244 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
But what does all this mean, you might say, what is he doing, what does this all mean for the students right here in this room? Fast-forward -- 5 years... |
| 00:07:2617 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
I ask every student watching today: Look around you. Count four students. Start with yourself. No one dreams of becoming a dropout, but far too many... |
| 00:07:4324 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
The fact is, every one of you can. Let's make a pact then right here. Let's work to see that 5 years from now, you and your friends will be more than... |
| 00:08:0725 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Let's go back to the future. In the fall of 1996, 5 years from now, nearly half of today's eighth graders who get their diplomas will enter the working... |
| 00:08:3223 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
The question each student watching today should ask is: Where will I be, where will I be 5 years from now? Will I be holding down a good job and maybe... |
| 00:08:5517 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Think about that tonight when you're at a kitchen table doing some homework; while your parents are meeting your teachers like so many millions do this... |
| 00:09:1236 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
I'm asking you to put two and two together: Make the connection between the homework you do tonight, the test you take tomorrow, and where you'll be... |
| 00:09:4824 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Let me tell you something, many of you may find very hard to believe this. You're in control. You're thinking: How can the President say that about... |
| 00:10:1251 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Think about drugs. You see films. You hear police experts and tough speakers from the outside. You get stern lectures from everyone: movie stars, athletes,... |
| 00:11:0320 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
A sound body and a sound mind, they go together, as my friend, and he is a friend, Arnold Schwarzenegger says. He's crossing the Nation talking with... |
| 00:11:2339 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Studies show a decline in drug use, and that's good, that's encouraging, I think. And every student who draws the line against drugs really deserves... |
| 00:12:0244 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
If you have to take the long way home after school so you don't cross paths with the gang hanging on the corner, if outsiders roam the halls of your... |
| 00:12:4619 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
When it comes to your own education, what I'm saying is take control. Don't say school is boring and blame it on your teachers. Make your teachers work... |
| 00:13:0529 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Block out the kids who think it's not cool to be smart. I can't understand for the life of me what's so great about being stupid. If someone goofs off... |
| 00:13:3455 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Take control -- challenge yourself. Only you know how hard you work. Maybe you can fake, maybe, just maybe you can fake your way into a job, but you... |
| 00:14:2947 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
You're in control, but you are not alone. People want you to succeed. They want to help you succeed. Here at Deal, teachers like your outstanding teacher... |
| 00:15:1630 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
If you take school seriously, you won't have to settle for a job, just any job. You'll have a career. If you make it your business to learn, one day... |
| 00:15:46 |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Let me leave you with a simple message: Every time you walk through that classroom door, make it your mission to get a good education. Don't do it just... |
| 00:15:46 |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
Now we're going to walk over to the school auditorium to say hello to the rest of the student body. To all the students across the country who watched... |
| 00:15:4634 sec. |
Bush, George H. W. - President, [R] United States
And now, Ms. Mostoller, if you'll kindly lead the way. Thank you all very much. Nice to be with you. |