Mr. President, I rise in support of the amendment offered by my colleague from Illinois, Senator Moseley-Braun. The Senator's amendment would authorize over $22 billion in essential bonding authority to the 50 States and territories to improve our Nation's public school system.

The Moseley-Braun school construction amendment would provide direct assistance to states to improve and construct school facilities for our nation's children. The amendment before us will help thousands of schools across the country modernize their facilities to meet increasing technological demands. It will also provide assistance to local school districts to build additional facilities for the growing number of students.

Hawaii's schools, particularly our rural schools on the neighbor islands, are in great need of improvement and modernization. The inclusion of modern technology in our education curriculum requires extensive renovations in older school buildings to ensure that all children have equal access to today's technological advancements. Hawaii's schools could receive an estimated $53 million for school construction under this amendment. This would greatly assist my state in meeting the increased educational demands of our children.

Mr. President, as a former teacher, I have taught in both the private and public school systems, and I recognize the advantages and disadvantages of both systems. However, I believe that the Federal Government has a moral obligation to ensure that all our children are provided a quality education, and diverting potential resources away from our public schools is a disservice to the majority of American children who attend public schools. The underlying proposal does not focus on those who need the most help. The bill before us provides an average tax break for families with public school children of only $7 over five years, while families with children in private schools would receive a $37 benefit. This proposal provides a disproportionate share of benefits to wealthier families who do not need the additional Federal assistance.

I urge my colleagues to support the Moseley-Braun school construction amendment and provide all our nation's children an equal opportunity to learn in safe, clean, modern school facilities. Thank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.