November 24, 1999
Washington, D.C. — Even though George W. Bush says that no one should be left behind, Texas leaders —including his own lieutenant governor— announced that minority participation in higher education in Texas lags dramatically behind whites. This is at a time when minorities are on their way to becoming a majority in Texas, which shows that if elected president, Bush would put minority communities throughout the country in danger of being left behind.
Governor Bush's lieutenant governor, Rick Perry, warned "If the trend continues, the state faces an economic future in which fewer Texans have jobs, go to college, or join the middle class."
This is not the first time that Bush has neglected minorities by shutting the door to educational opportunities. Earlier this year, Bush supported the GOP tax plan that would cut Pell Grant benefits including those for minorities. More than 784,000 students nationally would be cut from this program, which provides grants to needy students for college.
"In a time of economic prosperity and competitive job growth, our youth should be well prepared to enter the work force with a college degree," said DNC General Co-Chair Loretta Sanchez (D-CA). "Unfortunately, Republicans like Governor Bush are walking away and minority students are falling through the cracks."
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