Bush would provide states an additional $1 billion over five years for preventative services to keep children in their homes whenever safely possible. Bush will also require states to conduct criminal background checks
on prospective foster and adoptive parents. Bush defines “permanence” for children in the child welfare system as returning to a safe and stable biological family or, when a judge deems that impossible, finalized adoption.
Source: “Help for Families & Children”, part of “Renewing America”
Jul 11, 2000
Bush establishes standards for Texas child care workers
Under Governor Bush:
child care funding increased by $360 million or 88% (state and federal funding, FY 1994-1995 biennium compared to FY 2000-01 biennium).
Bush signed legislation requiring special training for individuals working with small
children.
Bush signed legislation establishing a loan assistance program to help child care workers repay eligible student loans. Recipients must have a degree in early childhood development and must agree to serve for at least 2 years.
Bush
signed legislation providing scholarships up to $1,000 for individuals working on their professional certification or associates degree in child development.
In addition to dramatic increases in funding for low-income child care and pre-kindergarten
programs, Bush proposed and the Texas Legislature approved $25 million in new funding for an after school program targeting middle school children at risk of academic failure.
Source: Press Release, “Increased Child Care Funding”
Jun 7, 2000
Texas Fatherhood Initiative: help communities help fathers
Bush said, “We’re working [in Texas] to mobilize every sector of our society-community leaders and faith-based groups, educators and the media-to increase public awareness of the consequences to children when fathers are absent. Every man needs to
know that he will never have a greater duty or more important title than dad.”
The Texas Fatherhood Initiative, which was launched in December of 1999, is designed to:
Create a Texas fatherhood public education campaign to heighten
awareness of the critical role fathers play in ensuring the well-being of children and communities.
Conduct a series of local fatherhood forums so that community leaders can develop strategic plans.
Establish a Texas Fatherhood Resource
Center to help community-based organizations and employers’ groups.
Help develop a seed grant program to help community-based groups launch or expand innovative local projects that promote and support responsible fatherhood.
Source: Press Release, “National Summit On Fatherhood”
Jun 2, 2000
Being called “Dad” means taking responsibility
“There is no more important mission in life than to love and care for a child,” Bush said. “One of our society’s greatest challenges is to make sure that more of America’s children are raised by loving mothers and dads in loving homes,” Bush continued.
“In my state of Texas we recently launched the Texas Fatherhood Initiative,” Bush concluded. “We’re working to mobilize every sector of our society--community leaders and faith-based groups, educators and the media--to increase public awareness of the
consequences to children when fathers are absent. And we are reaching out to individual men. We want to send this clear message-every child deserves a father who is committed, not just legally and financially, but emotionally; an active, loving, present
father. Every man needs to know that no matter how lofty his job or position, he will never have a greater duty or more important title than dad.“
Source: Press Release, “National Summit on Fatherhood”
Jun 2, 2000
Troubled by use of force in Elian case
Bush criticized the decision to use force to transfer custody of Elian Gonzalez to his father early today. Bush said the photograph of the frightened boy being “removed from his home at gunpoint” was “chilling” and “not an image a freedom-loving nation
wants to show the world.” Bush said, “I am profoundly saddened and troubled that the administration was not able to negotiate a resolution, and instead decided to use force to take a little boy from the place he calls home in the middle of the night.”
Source: Don Van Natta, New York Times, p. 14
Apr 23, 2000
Decide Elian’s case in Florida courts, not federal
The nation waits for the Clinton administration to take the next step in sending Elian Gonzalez [the 6-year-old boy who has been in America since his mother drowned while escaping by sea] back to Cuba. Bush
has said that Elian’s fate should be decided by Florida’s family courts, which would probably be far more sympathetic to the relatives in Miami who want to keep the boy.
Source: Katharine Seelye, New York Times, p. A21
Mar 30, 2000
Federal studies & grants for abstinence programs
Bush’s battle plan against premarital sex also includes an end “to hostile regulations and bureaucratic rules” that deter religious groups from seeking federal grants for abstinence programs, and a long-term study to measure the effectiveness of all
abstinence programs.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jun 22, 1999
Emphasize sexual abstinence for teens
We have an aggressive $5 million-a-year abstinence program to teach young people that the rewards of abstinence far outweigh the risks of sex. With the twin epidemics of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, our children must know that
abstinence isn’t just saying no to sex, abstinence is saying yes to a happier and healthier life. Abstinence is 100 percent safe, 100 percent effective, 100 percent of the time.
Source: Right Choices for Youth Conf., Austin TX
Mar 31, 1999
For tough juvenile justice laws
Each of us is responsible for the decisions we make in life. The old [juvenile justice] code used to say if you commit a crime it is not your fault, it is our fault. The new code recognizes that discipline and love go hand in hand. Our new juvenile
justice code says there will be bad consequences for bad behavior in the state of Texas. We want you to understand you are responsible for the decisions you make in life. It’s called tough love.
Source: Right Choices for Youth Conf., Austin TX
Mar 31, 1999
Suspend licenses if child support is unpaid
Texas must hold parents responsible for supporting their children.We should require mothers to identify the fathers of their children before receiving welfare benefits.We should suspend licenses issued to those who do not pay court-ordered child support:
driver’s license, doctor’s license, lawyer’s license and even hunting & fishing licenses. Skeptics say, “Governor, if you take away our licenses, we won’t be able to earn a living to pay child support.” To those parents, I have a simple response: Pay up.
Source: 1995 State of the State Address, Austin TX
Feb 7, 1995
Click here for 21 main quotations from George W. Bush on Families & Children.
Click here for definitions & background information on Families & Children.
Click here for policy papers on Families & Children.
