[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1233-S1234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 521--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 24 THROUGH 
             FEBRUARY 28, 2020, AS ``PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK''

  Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. Tester, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Reed, Mr. 
Braun, Mr. Carper, Mr. Boozman, Mr. King, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Kaine, Ms. 
Ernst, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Brown, Ms. Warren, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Booker, Mr. 
Van Hollen, Ms. Rosen, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Smith, Mrs. 
Feinstein, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Jones, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Casey, Mr. Peters, 
Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. 
Whitehouse, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Coons, 
Mr. Merkley, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. 
Markey, Mr. Warner, Ms. Harris, and Mrs. Fischer) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 521

       Whereas public education is a significant institution in a 
     21st-century democracy;
       Whereas public schools in the United States are where 
     students come to be educated about the values and beliefs 
     that hold the individuals of the United States together as a 
     nation;
       Whereas public schools prepare young individuals of the 
     United States to contribute to the society, economy, and 
     citizenry of the country;
       Whereas 90 percent of children in the United States attend 
     public schools;
       Whereas Federal, State, and local lawmakers should--
       (1) prioritize support for strengthening the public schools 
     of the United States;
       (2) empower superintendents, principals, and other school 
     leaders to implement, manage, and lead school districts and 
     schools in partnership with educators, parents, and other 
     local education stakeholders; and
       (3) support services and programs that are critical to 
     helping students engage in learning, including counseling, 
     extracurricular activities, and mental health supports;
       Whereas public schools should foster inclusive, safe, and 
     high-quality environments in which children can learn to 
     think critically, problem solve, and build relationships;
       Whereas public schools should provide environments in which 
     all students have the opportunity to succeed beginning in 
     their earliest years, regardless of who a student is or where 
     a student lives;
       Whereas Congress should support--
       (1) efforts to advance equal opportunity and excellence in 
     public education;
       (2) efforts to implement evidence-based practices in public 
     education; and

[[Page S1234]]

       (3) continuous improvements to public education;
       Whereas every child should--
       (1) receive an education that helps the child reach the 
     full potential of the child; and
       (2) attend a school that offers a high-quality educational 
     experience;
       Whereas Federal funding, in addition to State and local 
     funds, supports the access of students to inviting 
     classrooms, well-prepared educators, and services to support 
     healthy students, including nutrition and afterschool 
     programs;
       Whereas teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals should 
     provide students with a well-rounded education and strive to 
     create joy in learning;
       Whereas superintendents, principals, other school leaders, 
     teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents make public schools 
     vital components of communities and are working hard to 
     improve educational outcomes for children across the country; 
     and
       Whereas the week of February 24 through February 28, 2020, 
     is an appropriate period to designate as ``Public Schools 
     Week'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates the week of February 
     24 through February 28, 2020, as ``Public Schools Week''.

                          ____________________