[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 69 (Friday, April 27, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H3728-H3729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NATION REGARDING EDUCATION

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, this is an open letter to the Nation 
regarding education or the education of our children.
  I represent the 18th Congressional District and have at least seven 
school districts, and certainly aware of the school districts 
throughout the State of Texas and also what school districts are facing 
across the Nation to pay teachers, most of all to educate our children.
  The Houston Independent School District and its board are attempting 
and, I believe, are committed to educating our children. However, at 
this present stage, we have at least ten schools with an IR status, a 
diminished status, with the potential of being closed by the State of 
Texas.

[[Page H3729]]

  I will be going home to rally the community, because right now today 
is Friday, and children are learning in our schools. Why punish them, 
make them the victims of the lack of resources, credentialed teachers, 
and the lack of a plan that all of us can agree with?
  I happen to have agreed with the initial step to at least solve a 
problem temporarily, but we know that a temporary solution is not the 
best.

  We need to be able to have those children meet the basic test 
standards, but, more importantly, we have to reflect on changing 
these----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Arrington). The time of the gentlewoman 
has expired.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Very tough test standards that don't test the 
child's acknowledge. So----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has again 
expired.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, to that school district, to the city of 
Houston----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman is no longer recognized.

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