[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)] [March 5, 1999] [Page 321] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]Statement on the Kennedy-Murray Amendments to Proposed Education Flexibility Partnership Legislation March 5, 1999 I strongly support the efforts of Senators Murray and Kennedy to offer a class size amendment to the ed-flex bill. We must make a long-term commitment now to hire 100,000 new, well-prepared teachers to reduce class size in the early grades. The Republican leadership is wrong to try to shut down debate on this bill before a class size amendment can be voted on. I urge them to allow an up-or-down vote on this amendment, and I urge every Senator to vote for it.