[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 18, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S6600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mr. Harkin, and Mr. 
        Johnson of South Dakota):
  S. 1523. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent 
qualified school construction bonds and qualified zone academy bonds, 
to treat qualified zone academy bonds as specified tax credit bonds, 
and to modify the private business contribution requirement for 
qualified zone academy bonds; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today I am proud to partner with 
Senator Sherrod Brown to introduce the Rebuilding America's Schools 
Act. This legislation would provide a permanent path forward so our 
Nation's students can learn in high-quality settings. Investing in 
education is key to the future success of our Nation, so we have to 
make choices that support teachers and strong curricula, textbooks, and 
technology. We must also invest in school facilities.
  Studies show that the learning environment affects students' academic 
achievement, as well as their behavior. It also makes a difference in 
the effectiveness of teachers. When the Department of Education asked 
principals about the caliber of their facilities in 2005, 43 percent 
reported that environmental factors like excessive noise, poor 
lighting, or inadequate ventilation interfered with instruction. The 
number was even higher when it came to portable or temporary buildings 
and classrooms. Building on these sentiments is a recent report by the 
American Society of Civil Engineers, which gave our Nation's school 
facilities a grade of ``D.'' Clearly, we have significant work to do.
  I have fought for many years to provide the Federal support needed to 
help improve our existing schools and build new ones, so that our 
students have the best environment possible to learn and grow. For most 
students, their school is the center of their lives. School is where 
friendships are built, knowledge is gained, and the foundation is laid 
for them to excel in society.
  The Rebuilding America's Schools Act would provide important 
additional Federal resources to build and renovate schools through the 
qualified zone academy bond program and the Qualified School 
Construction Bond Program. Since 1998, qualified zone academy bonds 
have helped renovate and repair schools in every State. In 2010-2011, 
school districts in 49 States used $11 billion in qualified school 
construction bond financing to build and renovate 21st century schools 
in communities across the country. The need is great--the National 
Education Association estimates that our public school systems need as 
much as $322 billion to bring our school facilities up to modern 
standards. Our legislation would make significant progress in helping 
to finance these desperately needed improvements.
  In addition to helping make sure that no child has to attend classes 
at a deteriorating school, this legislation will help create good-
paying construction jobs and stimulate our local economies. In fact, 
our legislation is an important opportunity to make an investment in 
our schools, our students, our teachers, and ultimately, our 
communities. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
legislation that invests in the future success of our youngest 
generations and our Nation.

                          ____________________