Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, let me just summarize. Again, I thank the gentlewoman for taking the lead on an issue that was very controversial at one point in terms of how we structure the school system in the District. There is no question that it has failed. I think we need to understand that before there was an elected D.C. Council, before there was an elected mayor, there was an elected school board. This has been a long Democratic tradition in the city. We also, though, recognize there is a need for accountability in the decisions being made at the school system. I think when we got all the entities together, this was the compromise that they have worked out. They are going to submit it to the voters. I do not think anything could be clearer or fairer than that. We just need to give it a chance to succeed. So, again, I thank my colleague for stepping up to the plate on this. I know this has been an issue of some controversy in the city, but it is that kind of leadership that is going to turn this city around. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure.”