Observing the 50th Anniversary of Passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

Floor Speech

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Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago, when Congress passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, they recognized the fact that education is a right, not a privilege.

President Johnson celebrated this achievement, stating, ``it will offer new hope to tens of thousands,'' and will help ``children of poor families overcome their greatest barrier to progress: poverty.''

Today, millions of children face similar challenges, as the gap between the very rich and the very poor continues to grow and the path to the middle class is disappearing.

Instead of ideologically-driven cuts to education that undermine our economic future, we should invest in early learning programs that yield high economic returns. We should protect the ESEA's investments in the students, teachers, and families who need it most.

We need an education law that gives teachers the tools and flexibility they need to do what's best for their students.

We have to protect our country's most fundamental promise to children: the promise of opportunity--that all children deserve a fair shot and a high-quality education regardless of their zip code; and regardless of the size of their parents' bank accounts.

Communities across the country are working hard to meet today's economic challenges. They deserve a Congress that will roll up its sleeves, make the tough decisions, and work together on an education law that puts kids first.

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