Rob Andrews: “this Congress, led by the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller)…”

“this Congress, led by the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), has come together to produce an agreement that I believe will make America's public schools better, and I am pleased to support it. This bill introduces a new principle into Federal education policy; and that is, as we increase resources to public schools, we also increase responsibility. We require schools that have not measured up to figure out how to measure up, and we make a promise that the resources will be provided to make that measurement happen. I am particularly pleased that, with the cooperation of the majority, we have made efforts in this bill to expand opportunities to use Federal resources for pre-kindergarten education. Under a provision of the manager's amendment, which I worked on with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), schools will be able to use monies under title IV of this bill to provide quality pre-kindergarten education. Also, under title I of this bill, the bill clarifies that, in whole school reform, pre-K monies may also be used. I also appreciate the fact that the majority worked with my efforts to provide funding for peer mediation programs so that school violence can be curtailed. We are going to work together to pass this bill, Republican and Democrat. We will work together and send it to the President's desk. I believe that schools and students all across the country will be better for it.”