Recognizing Donna Fargo

Floor Speech

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Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a Grammy Award-winning country music artist and a proud native of Mount Airy, North Carolina, Donna Fargo.

On July Fourth, the town of Mount Airy unveiled a mural honoring Donna and the countless contributions she has made to the country music community.

I was incredibly fortunate to attend this event and to hear Donna speak about her unwavering faith in God, her small-town roots, and why she believes that Mount Airy is the best place in all the world to live. It is no wonder why hundreds of Mount Airy citizens lined the streets that day to celebrate Donna, view her mural, and listen to her speak. Her story and her music continue to touch the lives of many.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Donna on this well-deserved recognition. Not only is she Mount Airy's favorite daughter, but she is also a shining example of the best that western North Carolina has to offer. Charter School Success Study

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Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, it is undeniable that charter schools provide students with excellent opportunities in education, which give them capabilities they can use to pursue the American Dream.

When students are allowed to learn in an environment that works best for them and one that accounts for their individual proficiencies, they flourish. This is a simple fact.

A recent study conducted by Stanford University's Center for Research on Education Outcomes analyzed the educational performances of 1.8 million charter school students. The study found that these students outperformed their traditional public school counterparts on multiple metrics.

The typical charter school student gained the equivalent growth of 16 additional days of learning in reading and 6 additional days in math compared to their peers in traditional public schools.

At a time when the reading and math scores of our Nation's students have plummeted, the results of this study serve as a beacon of hope for millions of American families.

Simply put, charter schools serve as conduits of opportunity.

For example, the study revealed that, on average, Black students who were enrolled in charter schools gained the equivalent growth of 35 days in reading and 29 days in math compared to their public school counterparts. Hispanic students in charter schools were recorded as having a sizable leg up, as well. When it came to reading, they were 30 days ahead. In math, they were 19 days ahead.

These results make a succinct and compelling argument as to why charter schools are viable alternatives to traditional public schools.

Unfortunately, the success of charter schools is being outright ignored by the Biden administration. This is predictable behavior, mainly because the educational bureaucracy and teachers unions have President Biden wrapped around their little fingers.

The defenders of the status quo, those who fight tooth and nail to prop up failing public schools, can rest assured that the Education and the Workforce Committee will not be joining them in their future efforts. Instead, the committee will continue to promote choice so parents and students are empowered to choose the best learning environment that meets their needs.

The status quo is withering and dying on the vine. This is sad, but there is an alternative, and that is something to celebrate.

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