American Institute of Architects made its plea for increased funding for schools by building a one-room schoolhouse on the White House lawn. Members of AIA were present when President Clinton thanked architects for pushing passage of the legislation (yet to be enacted) to support funding for school construction. Clinton also said, “I don’t think it is too much to ask during a time of record prosperity to give $25 billion in school construction bonds.” Education Secretary Richard Riley, Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, Senate Minority Leader Tom Deshler and House Minority Leader Richard Gerhard were joined onstage by AIA officers John Anderson, FAYE, Gordon Hong, FAYE, and Norman Ounce, FAYE. The one-room schoolhouse was on the cover of the lobbying brochure, and a copy of it can be viewed at www.e-architect.com/gov/schools.
The bipartisan Johnson/Rangel bill H.R. 4094, “America’s Better Classroom Act,” will face battle for passage after the first of 2001 when a new administration takes office.
Based on a report from AIA Angles
