[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 52 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    OBSERVING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PASSAGE OF THE ELEMENTARY AND 
                    SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT OF 1965

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                        HON. KATHERINE M. CLARK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 13, 2015

  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago, when Congress 
passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, they recognized the 
fact that education is a right, not a privilege.
   President Johnson celebrated this achievement, stating, ``it will 
offer new hope to tens of thousands,'' and will help ``children of poor 
families overcome their greatest barrier to progress: poverty.''
   Today, millions of children face similar challenges, as the gap 
between the very rich and the very poor continues to grow and the path 
to the middle class is disappearing.
   Instead of ideologically-driven cuts to education that undermine our 
economic future, we should invest in early learning programs that yield 
high economic returns. We should protect the ESEA's investments in the 
students, teachers, and families who need it most.
   We need an education law that gives teachers the tools and 
flexibility they need to do what's best for their students.
   We have to protect our country's most fundamental promise to 
children: the promise of opportunity--that all children deserve a fair 
shot and a high-quality education regardless of their zip code; and 
regardless of the size of their parents' bank accounts.
   Communities across the country are working hard to meet today's 
economic challenges. They deserve a Congress that will roll up its 
sleeves, make the tough decisions, and work together on an education 
law that puts kids first.

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