Recognizing National American Education Week

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National American Education Week.

National American Education Week is a time to acknowledge the vital role education plays in shaping not just individual lives but the future of our great Nation.

Education is the foundation upon which our Nation was built, communities thrive, and progress is made. Every child who walks through the doors of a classroom carries with them the potential to lead, innovate, and inspire.

It is our collective responsibility as educators, parents, and community members to ensure that students have every tool and every opportunity to succeed. Every student across our Nation has the right to an education.

As a senior member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, I have advocated for commonsense legislation that uplifts our students and educators nationwide. Chief among these is the All Children Are Equal Act, or the ACE Act. This bipartisan legislation would reform the discriminatory title I formula to ensure equity and fairness for school districts with high concentrations of poverty. School funding should never be based on a child's ZIP Code, and I will continue to work to ensure that Federal funding is fairly and equitably distributed across our country.

Additionally, as co-chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am proud to continue my longstanding support and commitment to advancing CTE and investing additional resources in these highly successful programs that create rungs on a ladder of opportunity. CTE provides students with the skills they need to succeed in life, and I will continue to support efforts that help students and families of all ages make the right decisions for their careers.

I am proud to lead on the Counseling for Career Choice Act, which provides additional resources to school counselors so that they can better equip students with the knowledge and the information necessary to make informed decisions about their educational journeys and future careers. Students are our future, and the commonsense legislation I have supported uplifts students to create a skilled workforce.

National American Education Week is a celebration of everyone who makes education possible. First, we honor our teachers, the unsung heroes who dedicate themselves to the mission of shaping minds. Their passion, patience, and perseverance are the lifeblood of our schools. A great teacher does more than deliver lessons. They ignite curiosity, build confidence, and cultivate a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.

We also recognize the students who are the heart of the education system. Each one brings unique talents, challenges, and aspirations. It is their drive and determination that remind us of why this work is so important. They are the leaders of tomorrow, and investing in them today is the wisest decision that we can make.

Let us not forget the support staff, the counselors, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, and administrators. They create the environments in which learning can flourish. Their contributions, often behind the scenes, are essential in holding our schools together. Of course, we celebrate the families who support their children's education at home. Their encouragement and involvement play a crucial role in the student's academic success.

Mr. Speaker, National American Education Week is not just about education. It is about our Nation's values. It is about our belief in the promise of every child and the power of a community united behind them. Together, we can ensure that the doors of opportunity remain open to all, and in doing so, secure a brighter future for generations to come.

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