RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (TRP NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR: Sheryll Cashin ( CN=Sheryll Cashin/O=OVP [ OVP ] )
CREATION DATE/TIME:20-MAY-1996 11:13:15.00
SUBJECT: Follow-up on Jackson Memo
TO: Ron Klain ( CN=Ron Klain/O=OVP [ OVP ] )
READ:UNKNOWN
CC: Kumiki S. Gibson ( CN=Kumiki S. Gibson/O=OVP [ OVP ] )
READ:UNKNOWN
Jonathan Weiss ( CN=Jonathan Weiss/O=OVP [ OVP ] )
READ:UNKNOWN
TEXT:
1. Ron, below is the draft memo you requested. Please let me know what,
if any, changes you would like and how you want to proceed (e.g. we send
it to VPOTUS directly or give it to you.) [KG, please chime in with any
comments.]
2. Secretary Cisneros and Frank Holliman (Secretary Riley's chief of
staff) have signed off on the 5 concrete steps we can take. Secretary
Cisneros, in particular, urged that we involve the entire Domestic cabinet
for a strong nation-wide effort during back-to-school week. Obviously,
POTUS or Panetta would have to request this of the domestic cabinet.
Cisneros also urged that we move quickly to set up the meeting with
Jackson and get this done well before the convention.
3. Holliman urged that we consult Harold Ickes on this before we go much
further because Harold was the one who got DoEd involved last year and who
"road herd" on the Department. Please advise whether you want me to
consult Harold or whether you will take care of this.
4. My last day is May 29 so if you need me to do anything more on this, I
suggest it be this week. Thanks!!
May 20, 1996
MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
FROM: SHERYLL CASHIN
KUMIKI GIBSON
THROUGH: RON KLAIN
RE: FOLLOW-UP ON YOUR SUGGESTIONS REGARDING REVEREND
JACKSON
_____________________________________________________________
You have expressed strong interest in meeting with Reverend Jesse
Jackson to discuss how you and the Administration could work with the
Citizenship Education Fund to promote its "Reclaim Our Youth/Back to
School Pledge Campaign." This memorandum sets out the five concrete steps
you and the Administration could take to support the pledge campaign.
We recommend that you raise this opportunity with the President at
your next luncheon in order to determine whether the President agrees with
the suggested joint effort. You should also discuss with the President
whether he would like to participate in the pledge campaign this fall and
whether he would like to be involved a direct meeting with Reverend
Jackson to propose the joint effort.
I. Background on the Reclaim Our Youth/Back to School Pledge
Campaign
The "Reclaim Our Youth/Back to School Pledge Campaign" ("Reclaim
Campaign") -- launched four years ago by Reverend Jackson and the
Citizens' Educational Fund (CEF) -- is a model program designed to
increase parental and community involvement with in-school youth.
The Reclaim Campaign requires parents, students, and teachers to
pledge to improve their students' education -- at home and at school.
Parents commit to become more involved in their child's school work and
activities (by, among other things, turning off the television for a
three-hour study period each night). Students commit to strive for moral
and academic excellence (by, among other things, studying for three hours
a night and not getting involved with drugs). Teachers commit to becoming
more involved in their students' educational efforts (by, among other
things, agreeing to work with parents). After this pledge is signed, CEF
conducts a series of parent-student activities throughout the school
year.
The Reclaim Campaign includes some 10,000 families, primarily
from the District of Columbia. CEF has been receiving inquiries from
across the country from school districts and citizens interested in
replicating the pledge model. The organization, however, lacks the
capacity to disseminate information nationally or provide technical
assistance on the program. Last year, the Department of Education
provided significant assistance, but, unfortunately, the joint effort
suffered from a late start in planning.
II. Background on the Department of Education,s Back to School Campaign
The Education Department currently conducts its own annual
back-to-school campaign. The campaign encourages communities and families
to get involved in back-to-school activities. The Department works with a
network of grass roots organizations, including the Citizens Education
Fund, and it also recruits sports figures and other role models, such as
astronauts, to participate in local events and public service
announcements. Tentatively, Mrs. Gore is one of four people who will
serve on the steering committee for the campaign.
III. Steps You and the Administration can take to Promote the Reclaim
Campaign
Outlined below are five concrete steps you and the Administration
could take to support the Reclaim Campaign. Secretary Cisneros and
Secretary Riley have both indicated their ability and willingness to
undertake these proposed commitments.
1. Participation by you and Mrs. Gore. You and Mrs. Gore will
each participate in two Reclaim Campaign parent-student pledge events.
2. Simultaneous Participation by all Domestic Cabinet Members.
Secretary Riley and Secretary Cisneros will each participate in Reclaim
Campaign parent-student pledge events and recruit agency deputies and
staff to participate in such events throughout the school year. The
President and you will also ask all other domestic Cabinet members to
participate in parent-student pledge events throughout the country during
a single week, so that we will have a strong national message about the
goals of the Reclaim Campaign.
3. Campaign Materials. The Education Department will provide
back-to-school materials in available quantities and will provide mock-ups
for reprintings where demand exceeds the Department,s financial
constraints.
4. Assigning Department Staff to Support the Effort. The
Education Department will assign staff to work with the Citizen Education
Fund to plan joint efforts with the Reclaim Campaign. Staff will assist
in planning back-to-school pledge events and follow-up activities during
the school year. They will also assist in developing and disseminating
materials about the campaign and recruiting agency employees to
participate in Reclaim Campaign activities.
5. Special Efforts in Public Housing. The Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) will assign a point person to work with the
Citizens Education Fund in targeting efforts to families that live in
public housing. HUD will match the commitments of the Education
Department in terms of staff support, development and dissemination of
materials.
IV. Recommendation
The Reclaim Campaign reinforces the Administration,s commitment to
education, personal responsibility, and community empowerment. Also, the
President has already indicated his support for this approach (see
attached article), and, as noted above, the Department has embraced this
effort. We recommend that you or the President personally propose a
renewed joint effort to Reverend Jackson. Such a meeting would also
provide an opportunity to hear about any other concerns or suggestions
Reverend Jackson may wish to raise. If you agree, we suggest that you
raise this issue with the President at your next lunch. Please indicate
your decision below:
AGREE: INCLUDE IN LUNCH MEMO
LET'S DISCUSS