Seeking to build support among black families for its education reform law, the Bush administration paid a prominent black pundit $240,000 to promote the law on his nationally syndicated television show and to urge other black journalists to do the same.
The campaign, part of an effort to promote No Child Left Behind (NCLB), required commentator Armp Williams "to regularly comment on NCLB during the course of his broadcasts," and to interview Education Secretary Rod Paige for TV and radio spots that were aired during the show in 2004.
Williams said Thursday he understands that critics could find the arrangement unethical,but "I wanted to do it because it’s something I believe in." The top Democrat on the House Education Committee, Rep. George Miller of California, called the contract "a very questionable use of taxpayers’ money" that is "probably illegal".
The contract, detailed in documents obtained by USA TODAY through a Freedom of Information Act request, also shows that the Education Department, through the Ketchum public relations firm, arranged with Williams to use contacts with America’s Black Forum, a group of black broadcast journalists, "to encourage the producers to periodically address" NCLB. He persuaded radio and TV personality Steve Harvey to invite Paige onto his show twice. Harvey’s manager, Rushion McDonald, confirmed the appearances.
"The top Democrat on the House Education Committee, Rep. George Miller of California"means that Mr. George Miller is______.
A. from the State of California, a representative of his state at the House of Representatives, and a Republican Party member, and he sits on the Education Committee of the House of Representatives of the United States of America
B. a Republican representative from the State of California, a representative of the House of Representatives of the USA to the State of California, and the top Democrat on the Education Committee of the House of Representatives
C. a representative of the State of California to the House of Representatives of the United States of America, a member of the Democratic Party, and a member on the Education Committee of the House of Representatives
D. a top Democrat representing George Miller from the State of California, a Republican Party member at the House of Representatives, and a member of the Education Committee of the House of Representatives of the United States of America
