[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11077]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               MINNESOTA LEADS IN CHARTER SCHOOL MOVEMENT

  (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, my home State of Minnesota has a remarkable 
legacy when it comes to charter school education. By launching the 
first charter schools in the country, along with leading the way in 
public education and reform nationwide, we have been able to serve our 
students and community for the past 20 years in a better way.
  In celebrating two decades now of achievement, let's ensure that this 
tradition continues by looking for further ways to improve these 
schools, making them effective for all American students. I was 
pleased, Mr. Speaker, that my amendment to the Empowering Parents 
Through Quality Charter Schools Act not only enhances teaching methods 
in schools, but also breaks down the barriers to make charter schools 
more accessible for the thousands of students that are now wait-listed 
across the country.
  Young people should have the opportunity for a good education 
regardless of their ZIP code.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the recent anniversary for charter 
schools and encourage their support in the years to come.

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