A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

           FOR RELEASE              Contact:  Ivette Rodriguez         February 16, 1996                    (202) 401-0262

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley Regarding the Feb. 22 Anniversary of Executive Order 12900 Establishing the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans

This month marks the second anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 12900, creating the President's Advisory Commission and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. It is an appropriate time to reflect on the significant role that Hispanics play in American life and to recommit ourselves to assuring every Hispanic American with access to a world-class education.

In signing this executive order, President Clinton reaffirmed his belief that every child can learn and that education is the surest path to a share in the American dream. We know that education is the foundation of citizenship and of hope and opportunity.

I am pleased that the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans is housed within the Education Department and in the spirit of the initiative, I pledge to continue our efforts to promote equality and excellence in education.