Kenny Hulshof: “Mr. Speaker, it is back-to-school time. Indeed, as I look at the clock above the Speaker's chair, in about 2 hours when…”

“Mr. Speaker, it is back-to-school time. Indeed, as I look at the clock above the Speaker's chair, in about 2 hours when we call for votes, this Chamber will fill with our colleagues; and there will be some of the same giddiness as kids going back to school. And the inevitable question we ask one another is what did you do on your summer break? Certainly I think as we prepare for some very solemn events later this week as well as next week and certainly recognizing the impact of a year ago, I think a lot of attention has caused us to really forget some of the important education initiatives that have passed and become law. Specifically, this Congress began last year with a renewed commitment to education. "Leave no child behind" has become a familiar mantra. In fact that landmark legislation of leaving no child behind is now the law of the land and really starts with the mindset that a child, any child, can learn. As President Bush stated, indeed as Governor of the State of Texas, "The Federal Government must be humble enough to stay out of the day-to-day operation of local schools, wise enough to give State and local school districts more authority and freedom, and strong enough to require results. We must make our schools worthy of all of our children. Whatever their background, their cause is our cause. It must not be lost."”