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PRESS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release ~ February 2, 1999
Contact: Raffi Assatoorian
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AADLC REPRESENTATIVES FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND FOREIGN AID AT WHITE HOUSE BUDGET BRIEFING
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Falls Church, VA: Representatives of the Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council (AADLC) raised a number of questions about education and foreign aid at the White House yesterday during a briefing on the President's newly unveiled fiscal year 2000 budget.
Taking part in the briefing were senior Office of Management and Budget staff including Deputy Director Sylvia Matthews; Associate Director for Education Barbara Chow, and; Associate Director for National Security Rodney Bent. They discussed various aspects of the budget, which the President has said is marked by "fiscal responsibility, smart investments, [and] more trade." Among the Armenian Americans in the briefing was Sona Balanian, who, in addition to her work with AADLC, is a leading member of the George Washington University Young Democrats.
Matthews explained that the President's "Save Social Security First" plan would guarantee funding for social security by using 62% of budget surplusses for the next 15 years. The Administration also plans to use the rest of the surplus to strengthen Medicare and initiate Universal Savings Accounts, to encourage familes to build wealth for retirement needs. The FY 2000 balanced budget proposal also provides significant increases for education, including $600 million to enhance community after-school and summer programs; $1.4 billion to help schools recruit, hire and train 100,000 new teachers by 20005; over $200 million promoting english as second language (ESL) and adult literacy, and; $25 billion in bonds for school reconstruction and modernization.
The proposed $21.3 billion International Affairs budget fell short of Armenian American expectations, however, calling for a 10% reduction in U.S. aid to Armenia and a 40% increase in aid to Azerbaijan. Aid to Azerbaijan will be delivered through non-govermental groups, as specified by Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.
"We look forward to supporting President Clinton's policies on education, health care and social security - all important initiatives geared toward helping Armenian American families grow stronger and prosper," said AADLC spokeswoman Lucy Keshishian. "At the same time, we are disappointed with the proposed assistance package for Armenia and plan to work closely with the Administration and Congressional Democrats to address this matter."
The AADLC works with the Democratic National Committee to foster support within the Armenian American community for the Democratic Party and national Democratic office holders, while promoting the election of Armenian American Democrats to political office and encouraging participation by Armenian American Democrats at all levels of the public policy process.
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