No Child Left Inside Act of 2008

Floor Speech

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Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support the No Child Left Inside Act. I thank my colleague from Maryland, John Sarbanes, for his efforts on this important initiative.

Mr. Chairman, our Nation faces great environmental challenges. We need to combat global warming, curb pollution, and expand conservation and energy efficiency. And to confront these challenges, we need to ensure that students graduate from our schools with an understanding of the environment. We need hands-on outdoor learning opportunities to inspire students to enter science fields and develop innovative solutions.

Today's bill extends the authorization for the National Environmental Education Act and enhances the Environmental Education and Training Program with teacher training and the opportunity for partnerships between teachers and working professionals in environmental fields. It also establishes the National Capacity Environmental Education Grant Program to assist States and local education agencies as they work to develop environmental literacy plans and student academic achievement standards. It encourages partnerships between states, schools, and institutes of higher education and creates and disseminates best practices for environmental education programs.

No Child Left Inside will give our students the opportunity to interact with and understand their environment. It will encourage their interest in science and prepare them to solve 21st century environmental challenges. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this bill.

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