[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 4, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H4880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORT H.R. 3021, 21ST CENTURY GREEN HIGH-PERFORMING PUBLIC SCHOOL 
                             FACILITIES ACT

  (Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in 
support of H.R. 3021, a bill that will help our local schools build the 
high-quality classrooms that our students deserve.
  This responsible legislation, which we will consider today, provides 
for needed investments in public school facilities, investments that 
will result in improved student performance.
  Our Nation's public school facilities are in disrepair. This is a 
disgrace, and it impedes our students' ability to learn. Local 
education agencies want to make a difference, but they need our help.
  With our younger students, we know that maintenance issues draw them 
away from focusing on what they need to focus on in the classroom, when 
they see chipping paint, water dripping from ceilings, poor heating and 
cooling. We need to change that. And older students cannot be prepared 
for the 21st Century if they don't have a 21st Century classroom.
  These examples are not just anecdotal. There is firm evidence that 
suggests that we must invest in our school facilities in order to 
improve students' performance. By failing to do so, we are sending our 
youth a message that we don't care about them.
  So I hope that my colleagues will vote with the best interests of our 
students and vote on this legislation in the affirmative today.

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