[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 21210-21211]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING STUDENT TRAVEL

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 131) expressing the sense of the 
Congress that student travel is a vital component of the educational 
process, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 131

       Whereas travel is a vital component of the educational 
     experience for Americans of all ages;
       Whereas the area of Washington, D.C., is rich in American 
     history and is visited by students from across the Nation;
       Whereas student trips to Washington, D.C., and other 
     historic areas have decreased due to the attacks on the World 
     Trade Center, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania and the fear 
     of additional attacks;
       Whereas many students in the United States will not be able 
     to experience landmarks and monuments celebrating the 
     Nation's democracy, political figures, and scientific 
     achievement;
       Whereas the absence of student travel to the Nation's 
     historic sites will leave a vital gap in the education of 
     America's youth; and
       Whereas America's youth must be cognizant of American 
     history to understand fully the concepts and responsibilities 
     of democracy and citizenship: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that 
     student travel is a vital component of the educational 
     process and should be encouraged so that Americans, young and 
     old, can participate in travel, the perfect freedom.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Porter) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia 
(Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter).


                             General Leave

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
H. Con. Res. 131.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Nevada?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 131 offered by the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton). House Concurrent Resolution 131 
recognizes the critical role that student travel plays in the 
educational process.
  I support this resolution because I agree we should recognize the 
unique value that educational travel can provide to our Nation's 
students. It can be very worthwhile to extend the educational 
experience outside of the classroom in order to give students the 
opportunity to gain valuable skills through experience and direct 
interaction. I also agree that in the wake of September 11, we should 
encourage students and their families to continue taking advantage of 
the rich history that exists in Washington, D.C. I firmly believe that 
students who are given the chance to travel to Washington, D.C. will 
have a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of American 
history, culture, government and politics.
  I commend the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia for her 
leadership in authoring this resolution to recognize the importance and 
value of student travel and urge my colleagues to adopt this measure.

[[Page 21211]]

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  0030

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I thank the gentleman for his words of encouragement on H. Con. Res. 
131, and I begin by thanking, as well, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Boehner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the 
chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce, respectively, for working with me to introduce and schedule 
this resolution in a timely manner.
  I rise this evening to speak to an issue that we all care deeply 
about, the education of the Nation's children not only from the 
perspective of the classroom, but about activities outside the 
classroom that also enrich a student's educational experience, 
including field trips and traveling to the Nation's historic sites, 
many of which are located here in the Nation's capital. This resolution 
acknowledges that student travel is an integral component of the 
educational process today.
  H. Con. Res. 131 has application to districts in every State of the 
Union. However, the attacks of September 11 and subsequent security 
alerts have made us all more watchful, particularly here in the 
District of Columbia where so many of the symbols of democracy are 
located. For the months following the 9/11 attacks, visits to our 
Nation's monuments were down more than 30 percent. The Smithsonian 
Museums reported a similar decline in attendance. I am pleased that 
these numbers appear to have since reversed and tourism to the District 
has been rebounding since 2003. According to the Washington, D.C., 
Convention and Tourism Corporation, close to 1 million students have 
traveled to the Nation's capital since 9/11.
  The District of Columbia showcases symbols of freedom that are 
recognized worldwide. Students can come to see the Declaration of 
Independence, see the flag that flew over the Pentagon on September 11, 
view exhibitions that trace the history of our country from its 
inception to the present, and learn how this country, the great 
experiment, has grown and fared over the past 228 years. The 
educational experience that students receive in visiting this city, 
above even others in our country, enhances what they are learning in 
our Nation's classrooms and inspires the next generation of leaders.
  Therefore, I urge Members to join with me in encouraging student 
travel to the Nation's capital and to other tourist sites throughout 
the United States, realizing the educational value and inspirational 
impact that such visits have on the lives of the Nation's youth.
  I thank them again for their support and urge agreement to H. Con. 
Res. 131.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida). The 
question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. 
Porter) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent 
resolution, H. Con. Res. 131, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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