50th Anniversary of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as we mark the 50th anniversary of the ESEA, we reflect on the simple yet powerful promises that are at the center of this civil rights law, promises made to all American children--a promise that no matter where you live or what you look like you will not be ignored, a promise that no matter what resources you have you will not be undervalued, a promise that, no matter what, you deserve a quality education.

The ESEA was a substantial step towards fulfilling these promises, but we still have work to do. As we work towards reauthorization, we cannot break those promises. We cannot break our promise to make every child count by failing to gather information on student achievement for all children. We cannot break our promise to value every child by failing to target funding at the schools that need it the most. We cannot break our promise to uphold the civil rights of all children to have a quality education. Because all children are worthy, we cannot break our promise.

Thank you for all that you do on behalf of our children. They are our future.

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