Pubdate: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 Source: Roanoke Times (VA) Copyright: 2000 Roanoke Times Contact: 201 W. Campbell Ave., Roanoke, Va. 24010 Website: http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/index.html Author: Jack E. Byrd CALIFANO'S PLEA SHOULD BE HEEDED FORMER HEW Secretary Joseph Califano's plea (July 17, "Both campaigns are copping out on kids") to presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush for their attention to underage drug addiction is typical of this man. My brother worked for Califano back in 1977-79 when he was advocating expansion of Medicare. Califano also had prophetic words for a school system's preoccupation with testing: "Academic achievement is but one objective of our schools. Few of us would be happy to see high school graduates who ... lacked maturity, self-discipline, honesty and judgment." Califano is a compassionate and dedicated person. I would suggest strong statements of support for his plea from community groups, from private citizens via their response to campaign-solicitation mailings, and from the political parties at their monthly meetings and at upcoming conventions. If the candidates hear from enough people, they will listen. Surely they must know that today's children are our future! JACK E. BYRD, ROANOKE - --- MAP posted-by: Derek