[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 143 (Thursday, November 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN SUPPORT OF AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2014

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge 
American Education Week. This annual celebration was established by the 
National Education Association and the American Legion in 1921, and it 
serves as a time to remember the paramount importance of education.
  This year's theme, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our 
Responsibility, is a renewed call for all citizens--from parents and 
teachers, to school staff and education support professionals, to 
elected officials and community leaders--to work together to improve 
our schools.
  Public education is the bedrock of our democracy, and we must provide 
robust support of public schools to ensure our young people can fulfill 
their potential.
  But these days, education programs are on the chopping block. State 
and federal officials seem to have lost sight of the value of investing 
in our schools. With that in mind, I cannot imagine a better time to 
acknowledge the importance of public education and the vital and 
underappreciated contributions that educators make every day.
  Somewhere along the line, we have all been inspired by great teachers 
who have helped us develop the perspective and good judgment to be 
active participants in our communities. But the support these teachers 
need to do their jobs effectively--including a competitive salary and 
funding for supplies and textbooks--is too often the target of over-
eager budget hawks.
  We've learned this in our home state of North Carolina, where the 
Republican majority in the General Assembly has slashed the education 
budget, even as enrollment has increased. Teacher pay ranks 46th in the 
nation, having fallen from 20th in the last five years. Overall state 
funding for our schools has dropped by 8.6 percent since 2008, and 
believe me when I tell you that our teachers and students are feeling 
the squeeze.
  That trend is hardly unique to North Carolina--a recent report by the 
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows that 30 states have cut 
education budgets. Insufficient funding for teachers and public schools 
has quickly become a national problem.
  The picture is even bleaker at the federal level. This year, my 
Republican colleagues once again plan to oversee major reductions in 
discretionary spending, including education funding. That will mean new 
threats to all federal education initiatives, from primary and 
secondary school support to Pell Grants and other college affordability 
programs.
  As state and federal officials debate budgets, we would be wise to 
remember that none of our education policies will succeed until 
committed teachers and administrators, critical school support staff 
and education support staff, and engaged students all have the support 
that they need to thrive.
  Government should be in the business of recruiting great educators 
who are willing to dedicate their careers to public education. We must 
provide them with adequate training, opportunities for professional 
development, competitive salaries, sufficient classroom resources, and 
support form effective administrators and staff.
  We also have to work to ensure that every American student who works 
hard can afford to go to college. It is wholly irresponsible to make 
further cuts to Pell Grants and burden students with additional debt. 
Instead, we should be doing everything possible to incentivize college 
for bright students who have a passion for learning.
  This American Education Week, students and teachers around the 
country are calling out for our support. I encourage my colleagues in 
Congress and friends in the General Assembly to answer the call and 
restore education funding to sustainable levels. It's the best 
investment we can make in a future we can be proud of.

                          ____________________