    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 134, 116th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 9982 of January 24, 2020
    National School Choice Week, 2020
    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation
    Each child is a gift from God who has boundless potential and deserves a
    fair shot at the American Dream. To have that fair shot, children and
    their families must be free to pursue an educational environment that
    matches their individual learning style, develops their unique talents,
    and prepares them with the knowledge and character needed for fulfilling
    and productive lives. During National School Choice Week, we ensure
    America's brightest days are ahead by again committing to fighting for
    every student's freedom to pursue the best possible education.
    Sadly, for decades, we have tolerated an education system that continues
    to fail too many children. At a time when our students need the skills
    to succeed in an ever-changing world, the ``Nation's Report Card'';
    shows that about two-thirds of our children are not Proficient readers.
    That means nearly two out of three students are not where they need to
    be. Our great Nation can no longer accept a two-tiered education system
    in which opportunity is decided by a child's neighborhood.
    The success of future generations determines the success of our Nation.
    With school choice, we can ensure the underserved children of our Nation
    are forgotten no more.
    Education freedom helps inspire and educate students by providing a
    learning environment that best fits their unique needs, and it allows
    families to make choices based on their individual situations. A growing
    number of States and their communities are taking bold action to ensure
    all students, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, can
    receive a great education. I applaud State, local, and tribal leaders
    who are actively working to empower more families with educational
    choice. The expansion of school choice, including out-of-district
    public, charter, magnet, private, religious, home, and online education
    programs, has provided life-changing opportunities to millions of
    students.
    My Administration is protecting and building upon efforts to expand
    access to a wide range of high-quality education options. Today, I renew
    my call on the Congress to focus on what is best for children and pass a
    Federal tax credit to support State-based educational choice programs.
    Through this historic investment, more than one million more students
    will receive an education that meets their needs, all without taking a
    single dollar from America's great public schools. I also renew the call
    for the Congress to expand and make permanent the highly successful DC
    Opportunity Scholarship Program, which has achieved historic success
    under my Administration.

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    Education can open any door. During this National School Choice Week, we
    are heartened by the many students whose lives have been changed by the
    freedom to make their own educational choices. And we are motivated to
    continue to advance educational choice by the millions who are still
    denied the opportunity to choose the educational
    path that best meets their needs. We challenge all lawmakers to work to
    ensure that every child has the opportunity to fulfill their potential
    and achieve the American Dream.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of
    America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
    the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 26 to February
    1, 2020, as National School Choice Week.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day
    of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    fourth.
    DONALD J. TRUMP