Joe Cunningham: “I had the privilege of working on the education provisions of this legislation. I would like to personally thank the…”

“I had the privilege of working on the education provisions of this legislation. I would like to personally thank the chairman, the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Charles Taylor, and ranking minority member, the gentleman from Virginia Mr. Jim Moran, who not only listened but was cooperative and worked very closely with the committee. I would also like to thank and I think D.C. and this body owes a great deal of gratitude to Gen. Julius Becton, who has taken on almost an impossible task of cutting through not only economic problems but the political problems of D.C. schools. He has worked tirelessly in changing some of the rules and in helping children in the District. I would like to commend General Becton. Mr. Speaker, what education provisions are in the bill? It provides $3.3 million for public charter schools, that is good within this bill, but it also adds money for the public schools. The gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Moran] fought for these provisions along with Republicans, and we find that it is in the best interests and will help.”