[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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