THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

VICE PRESIDENT SWEARS IN COMMISSION ON EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE; MORE THAN 200 HISPANIC AMERICANS JOIN GORE IN WHITE HOUSE CEREMONY

In the Administration's continuing effort to help develop and coordinate federal efforts to promote high-quality education for Hispanic Americans, Vice President Gore today swore in the 24 members of the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.

"Today we take another step forward in bringing the best possible educational opportunities to all Americans," the Vice President said. "This Commission, created by President Clinton, aims to ensure that we don't neglect the special needs faced by the Hispanic community, and it will be instrumental in finding ways to increase state, private sector, and community involvement in improving education."

On Feb. 22, 1994, President Clinton signed an Executive Order which created the President's Advisory Commission and the Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. Their primary responsibilities are to:

• identify ways to eliminate educational inequalities and disadvantages faced by Hispanic Americans;
• eliminate unintended regulatory barriers to Hispanic Americans participating in federal education programs;
• improve outreach and announcement of program opportunities of interest to school districts, higher education institutions and agencies which serve Hispanics;
• identify and forge partnerships with organizations, institutions and individuals in the public and private sectors to help achieve these goals.

  The 24 Commissioners sworn in today will advise President Clinton and Education Secretary Richard Riley on the progress of Hispanic Americans toward achievement of the National Education Goals; the development and coordination of federal efforts to promote high-quality education for Hispanic Americans; ways to increase state, private sector, and community involvement in improving education; and ways to expand and complement federal education initiatives.

  The Initiative Office will provide the staff, resources and assistance for the Commission and monitor progress toward accomplishing the Commission's goals.

  "The educators who make up the Commission are an outstanding and dedicated group of educators. I am honored and pleased to swear them in," the Vice President said.