Kemp Calls On Silicon Valley To Help Schools

By Greg LeFevre/CNN

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (CNN, Sept. 30) -- GOP vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp urged Silicon Valley to pump its talent into inner-city schools to make a new compact to help children become successful adults.

"We're calling for a new social contract," Kemp said. "A socially responsible market economy where businesses like Netscape, Oracle, Sun or any of the businesses in Silicon Valley embrace our public schools, embrace our private schools, flood them with talent, mentoring, parents who care..." (288K AIFF or WAV sound)

Seizing on last week's endorsement of the Dole/Kemp ticket by 220 of Silicon Valley's top entrepreneurs, Kemp toured a magnet school sponsored by the Oracle software company.

"Jonathan sitting at this workstation has more access to more information than any man, woman, emperor, king leader, military potentate in the history of mankind," Kemp said, referring to a student at the school.

The hi-tech executivess also heard from GOP nominee Bob Dole by telephone from Washington. "Our liberal opponents have big ambitions for the federal government and we have big ambitions for the American people," Dole said. "As we go into the home stretch, let me say again, we are pleased to have you on our side and wel'll be on your side after the election." (224K AIFF or WAV sound)

Kemp brought his message of freer trade to the grounds of Netscape, the fast-rising company that has been blocked in its export efforts by the Clinton Administration. At issue is Netscape's encryption software, which can prevent competitors or the government from tapping into data transmissions. The company makes a popular Web browser.

"Actually, I've voted for more Democrats for president than I have Republicans," said Netscape president Jim Barksdale. "I'm an independent. This has cost my company so much money, I need to get through somebody's head how serious this matter is, that they're listening to very, very bad advice."

Of particular appeal is the Dole-Kemp pledge to cut capital gains taxes in half, then cut them out entirely by 2000.

"Those who take the risks should enjoy the rewards," says venture capitalist Floyd Kvamme. And the rewards have been great. On the latest Forbes magazine list of wealthy Americans, three of the top five are high-tech owners.

Kemp Calls On Silicon Valley To Help Schools

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