[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3831]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             SCHOOL FUNDING

  (Mr. WALZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. WALZ. Madam Speaker, you hear everyone in this body talking about 
strengthening our economy, leading in innovation and creating that 
entrepreneurial spirit. But to do this, there is one thing we must do 
to ensure a solid base for our economic future, and that is to provide 
the best education possible for our children.
  Like most States, my State of Minnesota is facing a severe budget 
crisis. Without Federal assistance, the largest community in my 
district, Rochester, Minnesota, will have to cut up to 35 teachers. 
That is home of the famous Mayo Clinic, which is also a place that uses 
research on mice to cure some of the most debilitating diseases in this 
country. What it means to our local schools is that students will get 
less time to become those researchers of the future and less attention 
from their teachers.
  I recently watched a video from my district from the United South 
Central Schools showing children entering a crumbling literally 1932 
building. I know in my 20 years of teaching, children do much better 
when they're in a safe and efficient environment. We're going to get 
the opportunity to invest in America's future, to invest in that 
economy and to invest in those children. The stabilization money will 
do exactly that. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' for America's 
future.

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