[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 15 (Monday, April 16, 2007)]
[Pages 446-447]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting on the No Child Left Behind Act 
Reauthorization

April 12, 2007

    I have just had what I consider to be not only a fascinating meeting 
but an important meeting about the No Child Left Behind Act with leaders 
of the civil rights movement, education leaders from around our country, 
business leaders who are concerned about America's competitiveness.
    There is a universal belief that the No Child Left Behind Act needs 
to be reauthorized, and I want to thank you all for working with us to 
get this piece of legislation reauthorized.
    I believe the No Child Left Behind Act needs to be reauthorized 
because it's working. It's a piece of legislation which believes in 
setting high standards and using accountability to make sure that every 
single child gets a good education. I strongly support the notion that 
when we find a child falling behind that there ought to be extra Federal 
help so that child can catch back up early, before it's too late.
    I strongly condemn an achievement gap that exists in this country. 
It's a gap between Anglo students and Latino students or white students 
and black students, and it's not in our country's interest to allow an 
education system to continue to foster that difference in achievement. 
The No Child Left Behind Act is beginning to close that gap. It's the 
impetus necessary to cause the reforms, curriculum changes necessary to 
make sure every child has a chance of realizing the great hopes of our 
country.
    Reauthorizing No Child Left Behind Act is an important statement, an 
important move; it's an important piece of legislation necessary to keep 
this country not only competitive but also a country of great hope. And 
so I want to thank you all for joining us.
    I also want to comment on today's bombing of the Iraqi Parliament. 
First of all, I strongly condemn the action. It reminds us, though, that 
there is an enemy willing to bomb innocent people in a symbol of 
democracy. In other words, this assembly is a place where people have 
come to represent the 12 million people who voted. And there is a type 
of person that would walk in that building and kill innocent life, and 
that is the same type of person that is willing to come and kill 
innocent Americans. And it is in our interest to help this young 
democracy be in a position so it can sustain itself and govern itself 
and defend itself against these extremists and radicals.
    Our hearts go out to those who suffered as a result of this bombing. 
My message to the Iraqi Government is: We stand with you as you take the 
steps necessary to not only reconcile politically but also put a 
security force in place that is able to deal with, you know, these kinds 
of people.
    Thank you all for coming.

Note: The President spoke at 10:53 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House.

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