Citing a famous California public school teacher's quest for excellence, Republican vice presidential nominee Jack Kemp promised lower taxes alongside education and welfare system changes but skirted specific proposals during a speech yesterday at the Tuc son Jewish Community Center.

Kemp recalled a scene from the movie "Stand and Deliver" in which Jaime Escalante asked one of his students, "Do you want to spend the rest of your life under that car, or do you want to design that car?"

"The minds and talents of the people that are not being developed is a drain on the resources of all of us," Kemp said as he lauded Republican plans regarding America's welfare and education systems. "We should not rest until every young man and every you ng woman in America grows up to be what God meant him or her to be."

Kemp, along with wife, Joanne, and their son, Jeff, was ostensibly in Tucson to kick off a weeklong campaign swing on economic issues but much of his half-hour-long speech revolved around welfare and education.

"The greatest form of welfare is to prevent someone from having to be in welfare," he said. "We can design such a better system for providing a safety net."

Kemp steered clear of stating specifics to the 450 person crowd.

"It was very vague," said Kimberly Magioncalda, a UA political science and psychology sophomore who attended the speech.

Kemp also touched briefly on taxation, reiterating Republican plans for a 15 percent across-the-board individual income tax cut and a 50 percent reduction in capital gains taxes.

"The tax code stinks," he said.

Following the speech, Kemp took questions from a panelof Arizona women who asked questions ranging from higher education issues to prison reform.

Kemp told panelist Dana Schude, president of Arizona State University Republican Women, that a Dole White House would uphold Pell grants and loan programs as well as work on job availability after college.

"An education without a job is an empty tunnel," he said.

The most direct question was asked by panelist April Fenton, an undecided Tucson voter, who asked, "How will I be better off four years from now by voting for you in November?"

Kemp responded by pledging safer neighborhoods, lower taxes and interest rates, and a promise to return in four years to check up with her.

Student reaction to the speech and discussion was mixed.

"I supported his campaign before and I still do," Magioncalda said. "I think he emphasized taxes, which is great."

Candice Faber, a senior at Amphitheater High School, said, "He talked too long, but he changed a lot of my views."

Arizona State University education junior Starlee Hyrick said she agreed with the Dole/Kemp ticket's stance on education issues.

"The Republican plan to completely decentralize education is the best thing I've ever heard," Hyrick said.

Kemp also toured a neighboring day care center just prior to his speech. He continued on to Albuquerque last night to attend a GOP fundraising dinner.

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