[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E256]]
    PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 20, FURTHER CONTINUING 
                    APPROPRIATIONS, FISCAL YEAR 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2007

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend your work 
on the Continuing Resolution. Republicans set up a colossal budget 
failure and created the worst budget mess since the government shut 
down in 1996. I know you had no choice but to attempt to make lemonade 
out of the lemons that were left for us.
  With this behind us, we will be able to work together to really meet 
America's needs. While I am happy that this legislation included 
increases in the maximum Pell grant, veterans' health care, funding for 
Community Health Centers, and the NIH, there are some areas that remain 
in critical need of additional funding. Much has been neglected over 
the last few years by the Republicans and will require further 
attention this Congress. In fact, I could stand here all night 
discussing the specifics. Don't worry, Mr. Speaker, instead I will 
focus on one area in particular, teacher incentive grants.
  Chicago Public Schools, in collaboration with the National Institute 
for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), were awarded a 5-year grant under 
the Teacher Incentive Fund in FY 2006. Chicago Public Schools were one 
of 16 grantees awarded funding under the new TIF program to develop a 
program for performance-based teacher pay, specifically targeting high-
need schools. This particular grant award totals $27,336,693 over 5 
years.
  The first year of funding for the Chicago award totals $131,273. The 
second year continuation grant is proposed at $4,055,600. This funding 
is scheduled to be awarded in the fall of 2007 and I would like to make 
certain that Chicago's schools receive this funding. I am sure that we 
will be able to work together in the coming months to ensure that this 
is the case.

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