I think that there are many opportunities still available for the school system to become more efficient, more responsive, more inclusive, stronger, within its current budget constraints.

I fight very hard for more generous match for Louisiana, because I have a high percentage...

What is very notable about this is that these earnings were not taxed earnings, but earnings earned in the city using city services.

But, Mr. Chairman, this could happen again, and when it happens again it will not happen suddenly.

this city is the number one target for terrorists

I think that with safeguards going in and understanding what is going to be needed is important.

I would like to receive some testimony from some of the bankers, not at this meeting, Mr. Chairman, but perhaps in writing.

During this time, we, as a Nation, take the time to reflect on and celebrate one of the fastest growing innovative forces in education policy, the charter school.

How many are on that list? Does anybody know?

I just want to say a general thank you for the extraordinary work that each of you has done against great odds.

I really do want to thank all of you for what you are doing.

I appreciate those comments and, of course, acknowledge the work that we have done together along with many other members of both the House and the Senate to improve public school choices for residents in the District.

It is just not moving quickly enough for all of us, and so part of this meeting today is to grasp what is working.

We are vigorously pursuing this incubator concept and we want to work with the mayor's office, which has given tremendous leadership.

Thank you all. As I said as you all sat down, I again just congratulate you for your really extraordinary, extraordinary efforts.

We need to create venture capital funding.

And a mere $4.5 million or even 6 or 7 million dollars won't do. Sometimes, it is a $20 million price tag, or sometimes more than that?

But you don't need to build equity. If you have a charter with 200 children and you have got $400,000 a year guaranteed to come in, what is preventing a bank or an entity from loaning you money to buy or lease or renovate a building?

Well, I would say the question for the community is, having been shown success which you all are showing against the odds, extraordinary success, how do we as a community reward your success.

To follow up on the facilities, do we have a comprehensive list of school buildings...

What we need to be able to do is we don't have the money to get audits.

I mean, you can either pay for it up front, residential in school, or you can pay $50,000 a year for residence in prison.

Today, I am pleased, Mr. Chairman, that you have agreed to hold this hearing today on charter schools.

Well, let me just suggest from this moment forward I would go on record as saying no group should receive a charter to start a school unless everybody associated with that charter has had a full FBI background check.

there is no reason that the banking community in the District of Columbia... can't establish a new and different way to lend money for the establishment of schools.