Pelosi Remarks at 2009 Broad Prize for Urban Education
Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks at the 2009 Broad Prize for Urban Education this morning in the auditorium of the Capitol Visitor's Center. The Broad Prize is awarded each year to honor urban school districts that demonstrate the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among low-income and minority students. This year's winner is the Aldine Independent School District outside Houston. Below are the Speaker's remarks:
"Good morning everyone. What's impressive to me about this gathering once again, for the Broad Prize, is that the first year, we were in the then Speaker's private dining room, which held about 35 to 40 people. And every year, we make it a bigger room. I don't know where we go from here, if we're prepared to build a whole new building. [Laughter.]
"On behalf of the Congress, I would like to congratulate the finalists and the winner, of course -- what a wonderful, wonderful honor. I know my colleague Gene Green represents Houston in the Congress is here. Gene, congratulations to you and all of you at the Aldine Independent School District for your excellence in being named the best urban school system in the nation.
"And excellence is what the Broad Prize has always been about. In fact, it's what Eli and Edy Broad are all about and in everything that they do. Whether it is the arts, or education, or growing America's economy, they know how to set the right path of excellence.
"So I want to congratulate Eli and Edy for once again recognizing the excellence in education. Thank you, Eli. And thank you on behalf of all who are here to thank Education Secretary Duncan and how very proud we are of him and of his leadership. Yesterday, he and George Miller and others of us stood in front of the Capitol to announce that legislation will come to the floor today on education. He's hard at work and is a great leader; Mayor Fenty is here, a very courageous leader.
"This idea that Edy and Eli had to recognize excellence is one that we all take great pride in. These winners show people all over the country what can be achieved when administrators, teachers, parents, and the community come together and put our students first. I want to recognize all this year's Broad Prize finalists for paving the way for education reform and to securing a better future for America's students.
"Eli and Edy Broad are people with vision and are agents of action. They know well the three most important issues facing our country in the United States and the Congress are our children, our children, our children. Their education is essential to their success. Their contribution to education and the arts set the standard for responsible, compassionate civic activism. And they reflect that belief that those blessed with the most serve all of us.
"And when all is said and done, Eli Broad refuses to simply talk about our problems. He works to solve them. When he said that ‘public education is the key civil rights issue of the 21st century,' he did not shy away from the challenge; he used the know-how that made him a Fortune 500 CEO and invested in best practices and models of success and academic progress.
"Eli's commitment is reflected each year in the Broad Prize. This award showcases models of achievement in our public school districts, and gives others around the country an incentive and example to follow.
"To top it all off, the Broad Prize scholarship enables our young people to more successfully make the jump from high school to college - recognizing that a high school diploma may gain you entry into the workforce, but a college degree is a ticket to higher wages, more job security, and a brighter future.
"And the legislation that Secretary Duncan and Chairman Miller talked about yesterday, which we will have on the floor of the House today, will do just that. So on behalf of the Congress of the United States, may I say that this is a great day for America's public schools. It is a great day for education; it's a great day for democracy.
"It's time to celebrate success and inspire superintendents and school leaders across the nation to continue working day in and day out to educate our next generation. That is the future of our country.
"I look forward to coming together again and again -- perhaps on the Speaker's Balcony next year. [Laughter.] I don't think that it is ever intended to be used, but I think that for the Broad Prize, we could be very expansive. The success of this great award is a reflection of the success of our children. And so, on behalf of the Congress, I want to salute you, Eli and Edy, for what you are doing for America's children. Congratulations to the winners."