No Child Left Inside Act of 2008

NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - September 18, 2008)

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Ms. CLARKE. Mr. Chairman, today I rise in support of H.R. 3036, the No Child Left Inside Act of 2008. The effects of global warming and climate change, as evidenced by wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and floodings has been experienced by hundreds of thousands of Americans. These things, coupled with the energy crisis, are calling out for investment in renewable energy.

We must be ever cognizant that future generations will inherit a myriad of complicated environmental challenges. By encouraging schools to incorporate environmental education into their curriculum, H.R. 3036 will give future generations a solid understanding of environmental issues and a knowledge base that will equip and empower them with the tools needed to overcome the environmental problems that plague our civil society and our environs.

I am pleased to have language from my bill, H.R. 5902, the GREEN Act, incorporated into this bill. My bill's language would give schools the option of integrating an environmental justice curriculum into their own educational program.

Located in my congressional district, the Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment provides an innovative example of how environmental justice concepts can be used as an integrating context for learning. Created through a partnership with the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, Prospect Park Alliance, and the New York City Department of Education, this is one of New York City's first public environmental education high schools.

In closing, I want to thank Congressman Sarbanes for being a champion for America's scholars and for his consistent leadership on environmental education and for including my bill, H.R. 5902, as part of the No Child Left Inside Act of 2008, a bill that I believe will greatly transform our Nation in the years to come.

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