[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE 21ST CENTURY GREEN HIGH-PERFORMING PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES ACT

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                             HON. PHIL HARE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2187, 
the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act.
  Schools all over my district are struggling to find the money to pay 
for the most basic school repairs, let alone the funding to upgrade 
school facilities to meet the needs of 21st century learners.
  It is estimated that the national need for school construction and 
renovation is somewhere between $100 billion and $300 billion. While 
school construction funding has traditionally been a State and local 
responsibility, the magnitude of the challenge warrants a small Federal 
role--a role that could help Lewistown Community High School in my 
district repair a leaky roof and replace World War II era equipment.
  The bill before us authorizes $6.4 billion to address unmet school 
modernization needs. Additionally, the bill guarantees that our 
nation's lowest-achieving school districts receive a minimum grant of 
$5,000 for school enhancement projects.
  I am also pleased that this bill encourages schools to make energy 
efficient improvements. By dedicating the majority of funds to green 
building projects, H.R. 2187 will save schools an average of $100,000 
each year in energy costs alone--enough to hire two additional full-
time teachers, purchase 5,000 new textbooks, or buy 500 new computers.
  Education infrastructure is not an expenditure, it is an investment 
in our Nation's future. Many of our students are being taught in unsafe 
and unhealthy conditions that make high-quality learning impossible. 
H.R. 2187 turns crumbling schools into environments ripe for learning.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote for H.R. 2187.

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