Edwards speaks at former school for freed slaves

[chimpymustgo]

-Posted on Sun, Aug. 10, 2003

Education top priority, senator says

By Bruce Smith
The Associated Press

'For the president, public education is a slogan. It's a political issue.'
U.S. Sen. John Edwards Democratic candidate for president


ST. HELENA ISLAND

Democratic presidential contender U.S. Sen. John Edwards visited the site of the nation's first school for freed slaves Saturday and attacked President Bush's education record.

"In many ways, we still have two public school systems in America: one for the haves and one for the have-nots," Edwards, an N.C. Democrat, told a crowd of about 100 people gathered at the Penn Center on this sea island near Beaufort.

"The president has talked about his slogan 'No child left behind.' But I have served on the Education Committee, and my concern is this president is actually leaving millions of children behind," Edwards said to loud applause and hoots from the audience.

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The Penn Center, which runs a number of community outreach programs for island residents, began in 1862 as a school for freed slaves after Union forces captured the area early in the Civil War.

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Edwards called for a national initiative to boost teacher pay and for pay incentives to encourage good teachers to teach in poorly performing schools.

He also said there needs to be more investment in early childhood education programs and in after-school programs.

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Then Edwards added, "For me, this is personal."

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About a quarter of the people in the audience Saturday were black.

Earnestine Atkins, who is black and works for a preschool reading program operated by the Penn Center, said Edwards' decision to visit the center was symbolic.

"He has a clear picture of what America should be like. This is all about dreams for people to come together and work together," Atkins said. "We need to get this country back in order."

Another center worker, Linda Jenkins, said Edwards had "an excellent message." She said "he has a strong point."

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http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/sunnews/news/local/6500794.htm

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Edwards is cranking it up in South Carolina - and working hard to get black voters. Excellent education policy proposals.

Read more at: www.johnedwards2004.com

[chimpymustgo]

1. The black vote is the "base" of the Democratic party.

We have to have that vital constituency fired up. Edwards is doing it.