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COLUMN/OP-ED |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Ronald G. Waters |
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April 22, 2009
Closing Scotland School sends wrong message to veterans
By State Rep. Ronald G. Waters
Our soldiers give up everything to serve our country. Our veterans have had to leave their homes and their children behind to protect and serve our nation. The least we can do to show our gratitude and appreciation is care for their children until their return.
The Scotland School for Veterans' Children has done this for our veterans for over 114 years. It gives them a safe haven in which to learn and grow.
Founded during the Civil war era, the Scotland School serves as a learning institution for children who were made orphans during the war. Of the four such schools that existed in the 1800s, only the Scotland school remains, and unless something is done to prevent the governor's plans to close the school, it too will disappear. Tough economic times call for tough choices and I do not envy the governor's responsibility to balance the state budget. No matter what decision he makes, no matter where he chooses to make cuts, pain will result and there will be those who protest his decision.
However, no matter where the cuts are made, we must protect our most vulnerable and impressionable people in our society. We must protect our children and give them hope. Closing the Scotland School for Veterans' Children is a mistake because it not only fails to protect the children who need the school's services, but because it fails to take into account the service, commitment and dedication of our veterans whose children attend the school. Our veterans deserve better, their children deserve better and we need to send a better message to the people of this Commonwealth. We need to send a message which shows that we support our veterans and honor their sacrifices made for the Commonwealth and this country.
Closing the school is like a slap in the face to those we should be embracing. A lot of emphasis is now placed on supporting our troops abroad, but what about supporting our troops who have returned home? Does our support for them stop once they return to our shores or do we continue to serve their needs, secure their homes and educate our children?
Rep. Waters represents the 191st District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which includes portions of Delaware and Philadelphia counties. He also serves as chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.
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