[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 38 (Monday, March 1, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S916-S917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Miguel A. Cardona

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam President, I couldn't be prouder to stand in 
the Senate Chamber today and speak on behalf of Miguel Cardona, shortly 
to be confirmed by this body as the next Secretary of Education.
  Miguel Cardona is a man of deep commitment to his community and, with 
pride, a product of the Connecticut education system. I couldn't be 
prouder to support him because President Biden couldn't have made a 
better choice to be the next Secretary of Education.
  Miguel Cardona's story is inspiring and compelling, a testament to 
the extraordinary support he has enjoyed from his parents, from the 
community of Puerto Rico, who lived in Meriden, the support he enjoyed 
from the public schools and institutions of higher education in 
Connecticut. His powerful and compelling story should be inspiring to 
all America because he has lived the American dream. And for anyone 
whose language may be something other than English as their first 
language, he has shown that people coming to our public schools, with 
English as their second language, should see no bounds to what they can 
accomplish.
  He came to the public schools of Meriden as a second-language learner 
of English. He was raised in Meriden by Puerto Rican parents. He found 
an early passion for education. And his skill and dedication went 
beyond his own life. He did extraordinarily well and attended two 
Connecticut institutions of higher education--Central Connecticut State 
University and the University of Connecticut--eventually earning his 
doctorate in education. But he went back to Meriden. He dedicated his 
life to the education of others, beginning as a fourth grade teacher in 
Meriden and then becoming principal--the youngest in the State--and 
eventually assistant superintendent before just about a year ago being 
appointed as commissioner of education in the State of Connecticut.
  His climbing looks meteoric and miraculous, but it was based on hard 
work and a dedication and passion to education for others, because he 
saw it in his own life and how it enabled him to live the American 
dream.
  For all of his accomplishments and that meteoric rise, he has 
remained deeply rooted in the Meriden community, deeply committed to 
his roots in Puerto Rico, and deeply committed to his family. His 
parents, who should be so proud of him, are an inspiration to all of us 
who know them and who have seen their work in Meriden continue. Even as 
he has climbed the professional ladder, they have remained rooted and 
active and energetic in benefiting others in Meriden.
  So to his parents, I say thank you for sharing with us Miguel. To his 
family, thank you for supporting him throughout his enormous journey 
and adventure.
  His extraordinary accomplishments have led him to this place of 
consummate prominence in the educational professional community, and 
now he will do great things for the cause of education in our country, 
not just Connecticut.
  His service never stopped in the classroom. He brought that knowledge 
of what happens in the classroom to establish policy in Connecticut in 
an enormously challenging time. He took over as commissioner of 
education on February 26, 2020, at the time of COVID-19 lockdowns and 
school closures, which began just a couple of weeks after he assumed 
that responsibility.
  But as he has done throughout his educational and professional 
career, he consistently reaffirmed his commitment to students, parents, 
and teachers because they are the core of our educational system, 
especially students who have been potentially left behind. His bold 
vision and dedication to students and their families is exactly what we 
need now in an Education Secretary, providing direction and support to 
our Nation's public schools--direction and support after a time when 
leadership was so sorely lacking and commitment to public education was 
so unfortunately inadequate.
  As we know, COVID-19 has challenged educators, students, families, 
and school administrators, day in and day out, during this very 
difficult and painful period. Disadvantaged students who lack support 
and resources at home have been left behind. Teachers are strained and 
stressed by changing environments and a lack of resources. Parents are 
concerned and overwhelmed, managing their children's schooling and 
their own work at home. Students in higher education are drowning in 
student debt that has left them crippled financially and unsure about 
their future.
  These challenges pose a grave threat to the future of our children 
and our educational system, and we need a leader just like Dr. 
Cardona--one whom we have lacked, one who can regain our Nation's trust 
and reestablish faith in the leadership of our educational community at 
the very top in the Department of Education.
  He is someone who will put students back on their feet, in their 
confidence and their trust in education. He is someone who will put 
teachers, parents, and students first, above special interests, because 
he has lived American education as the American dream.
  In Connecticut, he has seen firsthand in his own life how education 
can transform futures and enable all of us, through our children, to 
live the American dream just as he has done. And he

[[Page S917]]

will do it in a way that is inclusive, that respects the drive for 
racial justice, because he has lived that movement in his own life--the 
movement for racial justice. To end disparities and inequities are part 
of Miguel Cardona's agenda because it is his life. It is in his DNA, 
and it is part of his heritage and his family. And that is the reason 
why I am so proud of his success, but also of his vision and his 
dedication to the future of American education.
  I urge my colleagues to vote yes for his confirmation. You will be 
proud you did, just as I am proud to stand here in support of him. He 
has lived the American dream, and he will open it through his vision 
and his courage for countless other young people who desperately need 
that faith in their country and its schools.
  Today, American public education has a future that is bright and 
promising with Miguel Cardona's leadership. I am proud to say he is a 
product of Connecticut. His roots are there, and so is his vision and 
hope and faith.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.