Congressional Black Caucus
"The Conscience of Congress since 1969"
www.congressionalblackcaucus.net

(Washington, D.C.)- U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD) will deliver the weekly Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) “Message to America” radio address this Saturday, June 4, 2005. Representative Cummings will address the importance of education and the need to equip our children with the educational tools they need to succeed.

The CBC “Message to America” is distributed nationwide to the American Urban Radio Network’s (AURN) affiliate stations.

WHO: U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD)

WHEN: Saturday, June 4, 2005; 12:06 p.m. EST

WHERE: American Urban Radio Network Affiliate Stations

Rep. Cummings is expected to deliver the following remarks:

“Hello. This is Congressman Elijah Cummings of Maryland, immediate past Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“On behalf of the Caucus, I want to speak to you about the importance of equipping our children with the educational tools that they need.

“This week, the U.S. Census Bureau confirmed that nearly 50 million students are now enrolled in America’s elementary and secondary schools - the largest number since 1970.

“This enrollment boom presents new challenges for every American community. We must do everything within our power to prepare these young people to successfully compete in a global, technology-based economy.

“Meeting this challenge will require more highly qualified teachers, smaller class sizes, modern technology and giving every student the help that she or he needs.

“I am certain that you remember that in 2001, long before this surge in school enrollment, Democrats and Republicans joined together to pass the No Child Left Behind Act. The goal of this legislation was to eliminate the opportunity gap that exists between wealthy and low-income schools.

“The President and Congress promised an academically-challenging education to every American child.

“During the last four years, however, President Bush and Congressional Republicans have failed to live up to this solemn commitment - leaving millions of American children behind.

“Despite Democratic efforts to keep our promise by increasing federal funding for local public schools, the Republicans have under funded “No Child Left Behind” by $27 billion dollars.

“The consequences have been tragic:

• Nearly 5 million children are not receiving the help they need in reading and math;

• Almost 15,000 teachers are being denied the further training that will make them even better in the classroom; and

• More than 1.4 million children are being denied the after-school programs that can make a big difference in their lives.

“We, in the Congressional Black Caucus, believe that this failure to assure a quality education for every American child is the greatest threat that our nation faces today.

“That is why we are pushing for passage of the Student Bill of Rights (H.R. 2178).

“Our Student Bill of Rights would hold states accountable for providing a top-notch education to every child. All students would have the right to qualified teachers and counselors, rigorous academic standards, up-to-date resources and smaller class sizes.

“We call upon all concerned Americans to join us in pushing for increased funding for America’s public schools.

“Our children are the living messages that we send to the future. As a nation, we must do everything within our power to assure that our children’s future is bright.

“This is Congressman Elijah Cummings. And I thank you for listening.”

(####)