[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 105 (Monday, July 22, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1110-E1111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          STUDENT SUCCESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALAN S. LOWENTHAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5) to 
     support State and local accountability for public education, 
     protect State and local authority, inform parents of the 
     performance of their children's schools, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chair, education is our greatest investment in our 
future. As with any long term investment, the real rewards of the 
investment are often not seen until decades later. Investment takes 
patience and foresight and a thoughtful approach.
  Studies show that U.S. businesses are in need of workers that are 
collaborative and creative critical thinkers. We must build an 
educational system that supports the development of this workforce. To 
achieve this, we in Congress must reflect these values by working 
collaboratively and tapping the full complement of creative minds in 
this House. Our work product can only be as good as we are.
  I ask that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle work with us 
to develop the kind of educational system that will provide the 
opportunity for every child to meet their potential and become assets 
to our country.
  Let's begin by finding our common ground. We all can agree that our 
current accountability system goes too far and too often acts as the 
enemy of creativity. Our challenge is to develop policy that supports 
inspired learning environments while also accounting for ELL

[[Page E1111]]

students, students at risk, and special needs students. I believe we 
can find that balance.
  We can agree that an educated workforce is good for the country. 
Perhaps we can agree that we need an educational system that supports 
the diverse talents of all students--those that shine academically and 
those that shine in career tech classes. I believe we can achieve this 
too.
  Our current educational system is losing on the international stage. 
Contrary to the recent years of economic struggle, the U.S. continues 
to be a land of plenty on the world scale. If we hope to remain a world 
leader, it is essential that we stop looking at our educational system 
with a scarcity mentality--a mentality that acts to take from one to 
give to another, where there is not enough for all. We must recognize 
that our educational system is our greatest investment and fight to put 
all we can into it. We can't afford to lose children, to lose their 
talents and their potential contributions to our country. We need every 
one of them.
  H.R. 5 has some good components that move us in a better direction. 
Unfortunately, this legislation lacks the kind of investment needed to 
educate our future workforce. Education is the key to a strong 
democracy, economic competitiveness and continued global leadership for 
the U.S.

                          ____________________