[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 155 (Thursday, October 22, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OPPORTUNITY AND RESULTS REAUTHORIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. TOM COLE

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 2015

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 10) to 
     reauthorize the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act, 
     and for other purposes:

  Mr. COLE. Mr. Chair, I support the Scholarships for Opportunity and 
Results Act which has been a remarkable success with overwhelming 
support among parents whose children participate.
  Every American child deserves the opportunity to receive a great 
education. Education is the key to success no matter your background, 
race or religion. As a former educator, I know the importance of making 
sure our children learn the skills they need to succeed in life. And 
while education is, and should remain, primarily a state and local 
issue, Congress has constitutional authority for the District of 
Columbia. I am committed to making sure the parents and teachers in 
Washington, D.C., and throughout the country, have the tools necessary 
to provide a world class education to all children.
  No child should have to attend a low performing public school when 
alternatives are available and those alternatives provide positive and 
long-lasting benefits for a lifetime. I believe strongly in the 
authority of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their 
children with minimal interference from government at any level. 
Consequently, I am an advocate of charter schools, vouchers, and 
opportunity scholarships--all of which are supported through this 
legislation. Choice and the possibility to have an opportunity to 
attend the highest performing schools is what all parents want for 
their children.
  I am hopeful that with the passage of this legislation many more 
families will have the opportunity to take advantage of public, 
charter, and private schools. Research has found voucher recipients are 
more likely to graduate from high school than their public school 
counterparts--82 percent of students who took advantage of a 
scholarship program graduated high school, while only 70 percent of 
students who applied but did not receive a scholarship graduated high 
school.
  Education is essential to not only individual success, but the 
success of this great nation. H.R. 10 continues the emphasis on 
educational quality across D.C. and brings opportunity to those most in 
need by providing them with the option and means to attend a private 
school. By providing the opportunity to choose, children in D.C. will 
have an opportunity for a brighter future. For these reasons, I support 
this legislation, and thank Speaker Boehner for bringing this 
legislation to the floor.

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