Remarks at Moline Elementary School in St. Louis, Missouri

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Feb 26, 2001

And so I'm here, frankly, to call upon the citizens of this important State to help pass legislation that will not only focus on teaching every child to read but legislation that will have at its cornerstone, at its very core, a reform agenda based upon accountability, based upon measuring each child, based upon making sure that no child is left behind.

America is a great land. It will be a greater land when every child is educated. The strength of our country is the public school system. That strength will be even stronger--even stronger--when we insist that every child be measured, every problem corrected, and every child challenged to be the best he or she can be. That can happen, and it is going to happen.

It's an honor to be here. God bless you for what you do, and thank you for your hospitality. Thank you all.

NOTE: The President spoke at 2:11 p.m. in Room 2. In his remarks, he referred to Principal Sarah Riss, Moline Elementary School; Superintendent Chris Wright, Riverview Gardens School District; and Gov. Bob Holden of Missouri.