[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 118 (Tuesday, July 11, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H3181-H3182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING DONNA FARGO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a Grammy Award-winning 
country music artist and a proud native of Mount Airy, North Carolina, 
Donna Fargo.
  On July Fourth, the town of Mount Airy unveiled a mural honoring 
Donna and the countless contributions she has made to the country music 
community.
  I was incredibly fortunate to attend this event and to hear Donna 
speak about her unwavering faith in God, her small-town roots, and why 
she believes that Mount Airy is the best place in all the world to 
live. It is no wonder why

[[Page H3182]]

hundreds of Mount Airy citizens lined the streets that day to celebrate 
Donna, view her mural, and listen to her speak. Her story and her music 
continue to touch the lives of many.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate Donna on this well-deserved 
recognition. Not only is she Mount Airy's favorite daughter, but she is 
also a shining example of the best that western North Carolina has to 
offer.


                      Charter School Success Study

  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, it is undeniable that charter schools 
provide students with excellent opportunities in education, which give 
them capabilities they can use to pursue the American Dream.
  When students are allowed to learn in an environment that works best 
for them and one that accounts for their individual proficiencies, they 
flourish. This is a simple fact.
  A recent study conducted by Stanford University's Center for Research 
on Education Outcomes analyzed the educational performances of 1.8 
million charter school students. The study found that these students 
outperformed their traditional public school counterparts on multiple 
metrics.
  The typical charter school student gained the equivalent growth of 16 
additional days of learning in reading and 6 additional days in math 
compared to their peers in traditional public schools.
  At a time when the reading and math scores of our Nation's students 
have plummeted, the results of this study serve as a beacon of hope for 
millions of American families.
  Simply put, charter schools serve as conduits of opportunity.
  For example, the study revealed that, on average, Black students who 
were enrolled in charter schools gained the equivalent growth of 35 
days in reading and 29 days in math compared to their public school 
counterparts. Hispanic students in charter schools were recorded as 
having a sizable leg up, as well. When it came to reading, they were 30 
days ahead. In math, they were 19 days ahead.
  These results make a succinct and compelling argument as to why 
charter schools are viable alternatives to traditional public schools.
  Unfortunately, the success of charter schools is being outright 
ignored by the Biden administration. This is predictable behavior, 
mainly because the educational bureaucracy and teachers unions have 
President Biden wrapped around their little fingers.
  The defenders of the status quo, those who fight tooth and nail to 
prop up failing public schools, can rest assured that the Education and 
the Workforce Committee will not be joining them in their future 
efforts. Instead, the committee will continue to promote choice so 
parents and students are empowered to choose the best learning 
environment that meets their needs.
  The status quo is withering and dying on the vine. This is sad, but 
there is an alternative, and that is something to celebrate.

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