School Funding

Floor Speech

SCHOOL FUNDING -- (House of Representatives - February 12, 2009)

Mr. WALZ. Madam Speaker, you hear everyone in this body talking about strengthening our economy, leading in innovation and creating that entrepreneurial spirit. But to do this, there is one thing we must do to ensure a solid base for our economic future, and that is to provide the best education possible for our children.

Like most States, my State of Minnesota is facing a severe budget crisis. Without Federal assistance, the largest community in my district, Rochester, Minnesota, will have to cut up to 35 teachers. That is home of the famous Mayo Clinic, which is also a place that uses research on mice to cure some of the most debilitating diseases in this country. What it means to our local schools is that students will get less time to become those researchers of the future and less attention from their teachers.

I recently watched a video from my district from the United South Central Schools showing children entering a crumbling literally 1932 building. I know in my 20 years of teaching, children do much better when they're in a safe and efficient environment. We're going to get the opportunity to invest in America's future, to invest in that economy and to invest in those children. The stabilization money will do exactly that. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' for America's future.

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