[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 102 (Friday, July 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2003

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that 
all of us have a responsibility to prepare our children for the future. 
I believe that education is the key to preparing our children for the 
future. The Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act, H.R. 438, before us 
today, will aid our children by ensuring that qualified teachers are in 
place in their classrooms. H.R. 438 increases the total amount of 
student loans that could be forgiven for elementary and secondary 
school teachers of math, science, or special education teachers in 
Title I schools.
  This bill is a good start to providing needed teachers for America's 
public schools. However, I believe that the bill before us should be 
expanded to provide increased loan forgiveness for all teachers who 
commit to teach in high poverty areas. Mr. Speaker, I agree 100% that 
math, science, and special education teachers are desperately needed 
for our public schools, but head start, reading and history teachers 
are also desperately needed.
  While I will vote in favor of this bill, I am concerned that the 
Administration and Republicans in Congress are not fully funding 
education. Later this week, the House is scheduled to take up the 
Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations bill that will shortchange 
many of the key promises made to parents and children in the bipartisan 
``No Child Left Behind Act.'' In fact, whether it's Head Start, public 
education, or college loans, my Republican colleagues talk about 
accountability while failing to fund these vital programs.
  In essence, the Republican leadership is bringing new education bills 
up for a vote before making good on promises made in last year's 
education bill. It is time to leave the rhetoric behind and live up to 
our commitment. Our children deserve no less. I now urge Congress and 
the President to follow through on the promise made to students across 
America a year ago. We can start by making good on this promise by 
providing more funds in this year's Labor, HHS, and Education 
appropriations bill.

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