Statement

KENNEDY IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S REMARKS ON EDUCATION

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to President Obama's remarks this morning:

"Young American's today face immense challenges in both education and in the labor market. Now more than ever, young Americans deserve the best possible education and career training. Today's speech by the President emphasizes his commitment to strengthen our nation by improving the quality of education at all levels.

"We know we must do a better job to prepare citizens of all ages for the demands of the 21st century, so that they can compete in the global marketplace. More than ever, high quality education must begin in early childhood, and must continue throughout their working lives.

"In recent years in Congress, we have begun to lay the groundwork to achieve this all-important goal. We've sought to enable all children to build solid foundations through high quality early learning opportunities. We've worked to strengthen support for recruiting and retaining good teachers and providing needed professional development for them. We've sought to improve school curriculums and develop innovative and more effective ways to improve both teaching and learning.

"I commend President Obama for his leadership on these critical issues. I look forward very much to working with him to guarantee that the full promise of education is extended to every child in America. Our future depends on it."