[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 18, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IF YOU CAN'T HELP EVERY CHILD, YOU CAN'T HELP ANY CHILD?

  (Mr. WALBERG asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, there was a time when the Southern Poverty 
Law Center was a laudable civil rights organization, boldly combating 
bigotry and extremism. Such noble pursuits have been cast aside for 
partisan politics, and today the SPLC is better known for their attacks 
on Judeo-Christian groups.
  Recently, the SPLC has targeted the Alabama Accountability Act, a 
school choice law passed earlier this year. Under this act, Alabama 
provides tax credit scholarships for students at failing schools so 
that they can attend better-performing schools--private, religious, and 
nonfailing public schools.
  Rather than allow students a chance at a good education, the SPLC has 
filed a lawsuit that would trap students in schools the State's own 
accountability system has graded D or F. In other words, if you can't 
help every child, you can't help any child? How absurd.
  Mr. Speaker, it's time for this intolerance to end, and it's time 
that Congress and the American people embrace policies that allow 
parents and students the opportunity to choose the type of education 
that fosters success.

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