[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 33 (Thursday, February 27, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H2014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1230
SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING
(Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, we adults ask students to be model citizens,
to devote themselves to their studies, and to become tomorrow's
leaders. But what is our message when their leaders can't even ensure a
school building that passes code inspection? Every day, the students at
Trenton Central High School attempt to learn in a building that suffers
from electrical fires due to poor wiring and leaking water; dripping
bathroom sewage; and an absence of science labs and general inadequacy
and indignities.
To fix these problems and provide Trenton students with a facility
worthy of students and teachers for the 21st century, it is projected
to cost $130 million. To bring all of New Jersey's schools up to code
will cost several billions of dollars. Many States cannot manage that
cost alone. We need to invest in our children by devoting Federal funds
to school construction and renovation. With a modern school
infrastructure, we can ask our students to become the community and
world leaders we want them to be.
____________________