Alcee Hastings: “Mr. Speaker, as we all know, a high quality learning environment is essential to educating our Nation's children. Many…”

“Mr. Speaker, as we all know, a high quality learning environment is essential to educating our Nation's children. Many may wonder why the President last night spent so much time on the issue usually discussed by State and local government. Well, I believe his concern is warranted. Take Palm Beach and Broward Counties, parts of which I represent, for example. These school systems educate more students from prekindergarten through grade 12 than they can handle. Our schools are pushed to the limit, a limit that some consider to be critically overcrowded. Mr. Speaker, the school doors are bursting at the seams in south Florida and around the Nation. Our schools need our help. Thus, America's leaders need to be partners in education. This partnership among Federal, State, and local governments should be based on a balance between leadership and local flexibility. The goal is to direct resources to the local level to help our communities build much needed schools to alleviate overcrowding. It is crucial, Mr. Speaker, that we work together to find the necessary funds for our schools.”