    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2025)]
    [Senate]
    [Page S1358]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

       SENATE RESOLUTION 96--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 24 THROUGH
                 FEBRUARY 28, 2025, AS ``PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK''

      Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. Reed, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Hirono, Mr. King,
    Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Van Hollen, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Hassan,
    Mr. Booker, Mr. Gallego, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Welch, Ms.
    Blunt Rochester, Mr. Peters, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Cantwell,
    Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Padilla) submitted the following resolution; which
    was considered and agreed to:

                                   S. Res. 96

           Whereas public education is a significant institution in a
         21st-century democracy;
           Whereas public schools in the United States educate
         students 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 87 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 support;
           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
           (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, 2025,
         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, 2025 as ``Public Schools Week''.

                              ____________________