"some might call Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien the mother of charter schools in Colorado."
"All children deserve to learn, and proven models exist today. That is why I will soon introduce the All Students Achieving Through Reform--ALL-STAR--Act."
"Thank you Chairman Miller and I applaud you holding a hearing on such an important issue as charter schools, to which I have devoted much of my policy and philanthropic efforts."
"The beauty of a public charter school lies in its great autonomy and self-determination--this is what drew me to charter schools in the first place."
"I think all of us on this committee, regardless of ideology, wish that there was a single silver bullet..."
"Thank you so much for holding a hearing on such an important issue as charter schools."
"Both you and the president have repeatedly called for federal investment in innovative programs with a proven track record of helping schools meet high standards and close the achievement gap."
"Today, more than one in 10 Colorado children is obese."
"86 percent of Coloradoans support requiring 30 minutes of physical education each day in our schools."
"Healthy habits start early in life, and the public overwhelmingly supports immediate action to reverse the obesity trend."
"These businesses stimulate innovation and play a critical role in building and sustaining our economy."