[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7075-H7076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEMOCRATS HAVE FAILED STUDENTS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce) for 5 minutes.
Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as students prepare to return
to classrooms, it is now more clear than ever that the lockdowns of the
past 2 years have dealt a devastating blow to the education of our
Nation's children.
Isolation and a lack of hands-on learning was detrimental with
students falling behind grade level in both reading and math.
In fact, new research shows that students have only recovered between
15 and 35 percent of the learning that was lost during school
shutdowns.
Students are not learning the math, the science, the history, and the
English that they will need to be successful, and over the long term,
the consequence of this learning loss could be catastrophic for our
young people.
Instead of addressing this crisis head-on and involving parents
directly in their child's education to help get them back on track, the
Biden administration has taken steps to limit parents' involvement and
federally mandate what our children are taught in classrooms.
To take on this problem, I am proud to join my Republican colleagues
as a cosponsor of the Parents Bill of Rights Act. This important
legislation would ensure that parents know what their children are
being taught in schools and that they have the chance to be heard and
to be a part of their kids' education and not a bystander.
This bill would give parents the right to see their school district's
budget and spending because it is time that we have transparency
throughout our education system.
This would go even further to give parents the opportunity to protect
their student's privacy by making sure that a school cannot change
their policy on privacy without parental consent.
Our students are counting on us. They are counting on us to find
solutions to the challenges that they face every day in school. It is
time to increase family involvement, enforce high standards, and make
sure that we are preparing our kids of all ages for success in
education.
Celebrating Sigrid Andrew
Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate
Sigrid Andrew on her upcoming retirement from her role as medical
center director at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona,
Pennsylvania.
Ms. Andrews' 26 years of service to the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs culminated with her time leading the Van Zandt VA
Medical Center's team to where she has been a pillar of support for our
veteran community.
Ms. Andrews' years of experience, not only as a nurse but as a leader
in operational management, led her to find innovative solutions to a
variety of unique challenges that face our veterans each and every day.
On a personal note, Sigrid Andrew has been instrumental in the
development and deployment of the Homegrown Healthcare Initiative,
which allows third- and fourth-year medical students to return to their
communities in central Pennsylvania to care for patients and build the
skills that they will need as young doctors, doctors who will be
trained to address the physical and mental health issues of our great
veterans.
Sigrid Andrews' tireless work to help address the rural physician
shortage has been extraordinary and without her, the Homegrown
Healthcare Initiative would not be where it is today.
Sigrid Andrews' persistence, her intelligence, and her dedication to
excellence has been an essential tool to support the veteran community
throughout Pennsylvania.
[[Page H7076]]
On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional
District, I thank Sigrid Andrew for her hard work and her commitment to
the veterans of the United States military. I wish her all the best.
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