03.10.09

Chairman Miller Statement on President Obama's First Major Education Speech

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today issued the following statement praising President Barack Obama's first major speech on education this morning.  “In America today, it’s not just schoolchildren who continue to get left behind – but teachers who are not being treated like the professionals that they are, young children who aren’t getting the tools they need to succeed before they enter kindergarten, and students and adults who don’t have access to a quality higher education. Today, President Obama showed great leadership on these issues by laying out a bold vision for improving education from ‘cradle to career.’

“The proposals he put forth today show he’s serious about taking American education to the next level. His plan includes many of the right priorities, at the right time, to help build the economy we need and the world class education system that Americans of all ages deserve. Congress should follow his lead as we begin working to significantly improve No Child Left Behind this year, and as we continue our efforts to strengthen early childhood education and make college more affordable.  I look forward to working with President Obama, Secretary Duncan, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to make our shared goal of providing every American with an excellent education a reality.”