Frank Riggs: “I am rising tonight to see if I can perhaps shed a little bit more light than heat on the ongoing debate in this House…”

“I am rising tonight to see if I can perhaps shed a little bit more light than heat on the ongoing debate in this House about education priorities. I think I have some credibility on this subject since for the last 2 years in this Congress I have chaired an education subcommittee. I think I can truthfully say no one has worked longer and harder on Federal education policies and initiatives than me. I despair that particularly in the waning days of a Congress we talk right by each other. It just becomes another he-said-she-said partisan discussion, particularly when we hear Members talk about class warfare and the politics of envy and get the priorities of government confused. The first thing I want to stipulate is the Federal Government, using Federal taxpayer funding is responsible for providing a strong collective defense of our country and that State and local government is responsible for public education, making sure that all of our children have a high quality education that prepares them for a productive, successful adult life. That said, some of the rhetoric that has been used on this floor in the last few days simply does not withstand scrutiny.”