George Holding: “I thank the distinguished gentlelady from my home State for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues…”

“I thank the distinguished gentlelady from my home State for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in supporting this rule to bring H.R. 10, the Success and Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act, to the floor. Education is a key that can open the door to opportunity, which is important to families across America, and especially those in my district in North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, we know that a one-size-fits-all approach to education simply never works for students, as students vary greatly in how they learn. Because of this, I believe we should offer students and their parents every possible opportunity to select a school that best fits their individual needs, their goals, and their aspirations. And, Mr. Speaker, neither a student's ZIP Code nor circumstances should determine the educational opportunities available to them. In my district, North Carolina's 13th District, we have six charter schools that are serving the local communities, in addition to our quality public schools in North Carolina. While developing and expanding the use of charter schools is certainly not the only answer to the education crisis facing our Nation, it is without a doubt a step in the right direction. The rule before us today to bring H.R. 10 up for debate and a vote does just that by offering more choice to parents and students through the expanded use of charter schools.…”