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Dear Friends:
The regulatory failures and mismanagement that have threatened the nation's financial system and the economic security of families are a direct result of Wall Street's greed and the Bush Administration's negligence. I don't want to bailout anybody, but we are facing a systemic economic collapse that puts every American in financial danger. Immediate and decisive action is needed to restore confidence in the market before the savings, retirement and job security every taxpayer has earned are lost. Congress must come together on a bipartisan basis, and put families first, to solve this disaster.
Making the financial crisis worse is our nation's dependence on foreign oil. Securing America's energy future is a top priority for Congress. This week the House passed the second landmark energy bill of this Congress, the Comprehensive American Energy Security & Consumer Protection Act. While it is not perfect, this legislation is the result of serious compromise on the part of Democrats to bring down gas prices now, expand drilling and invest in a clean renewable energy future.
Unfortunately, when faced with the option to vote for American taxpayers and consumers struggling with energy costs, Republicans, including some in the Minnesota Congressional delegation, fought to maintain the same Bush-Cheney energy policy written by and for the oil companies, which rewards Big Oil with more land, more oil, more taxpayer dollars, and all the record profits. In the end though, Democrats passed an energy bill that takes a comprehensive approach to providing relief to Minnesota families.
Finally, parents with children in middle and high schools are concerned about the level of preparation students receive to succeed in today's competitive marketplace. As a parent, I had similar concerns when my children were in school and looked to after school programs to supplement the curriculum and provide exposure to career options and skills training. These programs are critical as educators seek to meet educational benchmarks and put students on a path to excel professionally. I have introduced H.R. 6928, the After School Partnerships Improve Results in Education (ASPIRE) Act, which seeks to fund after school programs in order to improve academic achievement, reduce drop-out rates, and increase interest in high-demand careers.
Sincerely,
Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Serving Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District
McCollum Introduces After School Bill To Increase Retention & Scholastic Achievement in Middle and High Schools
"The goals of the ASPIRE ACT: improving academic achievement, reducing drop-out rates, and increasing student interest in high-demand careers are being reached by students in career technical education programs throughout the country. I am pleased that ASPIRE will support another avenue, after school programs, for students to further explore careers and have the opportunity to be exposed to rigorous and relevant career technical programs." - Kimberly Green, Executive Director of the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc)
Currently almost 14 million students do not have a place to go after school hours, and nearly one-third of those in high school fail to graduate. Lack of interest in the curriculum and lack of relevancy to their future career plans are consistently cited as reasons for dropping out, according to recent studies. After school programs provide extra time for educational enrichment, skills development and can help increase retention rates.
Congresswoman McCollum has introduced H.R. 6928, the After School Partnerships Improve Results in Education (ASPIRE) Act creates a space for local solutions, especially partnerships with trade, technical and business organizations. It further authorizes a national demonstration project to create multi-state, multi-site after-school programs and has requirements for tracking and evaluation.
McCollum Adresses Education Leaders
Photo caption: McCollum addresses educators, administrators and advocates at a recent legislative conference hosted by the Committee for Education Funding, a non-profit that seeks to achieve adequate federal support for preschool to postgraduate education in both the public and private systems.
Online Quiz: Consequences of Republicans' Failed Economic Policies
Learn how Republicans' failed policies have weakened our economy and contributed to the turmoil on Wall Street.
Click here to take the online quiz
McCollum Joins Rep. Jim Ramstad in Support of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act
Photo caption: On September 19, 2008, Congresswoman McCollum joined Congressman Jim Ramstad and Members of the leadership at a rally with mental health advocates to urge final passage of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act.
McCollum Questions Health Officials on Domestic HIV Epidemic
This week, Congresswoman McCollum, a Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, questioned Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during a committee hearing titled, "The Domestic Epidemic is Worse than We Thought: A Wake-Up Call for HIV Prevention." The hearing assessed the impact of HIV prevention programs, research, and policy in the United States and explore what changes need to be made to turn the tide of infection.
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that there were 56,300 new HIV infections in the United States in 2006. This figure, based on a new surveillance method, was 40% higher than prior, less accurate estimates. CDC also found that Hispanics and Blacks continue to experience a disproportionate burden of infection.
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