Frank Riggs: “Mr. Speaker, obviously I rise to support the resolution and urge my colleagues, our colleagues, to approve this sense of…”

“Mr. Speaker, obviously I rise to support the resolution and urge my colleagues, our colleagues, to approve this sense of Congress resolution that social promotions in our schools should end. The very first thing I want to do, because I may interject a few more partisan remarks a little bit later or remarks more aligned with the Republican philosophy on education, is salute and thank my very good friend, the ranking member of the committee that I am very privileged and honored to chair, the gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez) for his leadership on this issue. I want the record to show that it was Congressman Martinez's leadership in this area that resulted in this legislation reaching the House floor today. He initially approached me and suggested that we direct our attention in the subcommittee on the problem of social promotions, and I think as every Member of this body knows, particularly any Member that has attended a State of the Union address, the two recent State of the Union addresses by the President, or for that matter reviewed a transcript of his addresses, they would know that the President has spoken, and I think very sincerely, of the problem of social promotion in American education today in this very Chamber.”