III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 521 Designating the week of February 24 through February 28, 2020, as ‘‘Public Schools Week’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES FEBRUARY 27, 2020 Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. TESTER, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. REED, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. CARPER, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. KING, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. KAINE, Ms. ERNST, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. BROWN, Ms. WARREN, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Ms. ROSEN, Ms. HASSAN, Mr. CARDIN, Ms. SMITH, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. JONES, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. CASEY, Mr. PETERS, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BENNET, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Ms. HIRONO, Ms. SINEMA, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. MANCHIN, Mr. COONS, Mr. MERKLEY, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. SANDERS, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. WAR- NER, Ms. HARRIS, and Mrs. FISCHER) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week of February 24 through February 28, 2020, as ‘‘Public Schools Week’’. Whereas public education is a significant institution in a 21st-century democracy; Whereas public schools in the United States are where stu- dents come to be educated about the values and beliefs that hold the individuals of the United States together as a nation; VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:54 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR521.ATS SR521 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 521 ATS Whereas public schools prepare young individuals of the United States to contribute to the society, economy, and citizenry of the country; Whereas 90 percent of children in the United States attend public schools; Whereas Federal, State, and local lawmakers should— (1) prioritize support for strengthening the public schools of the United States; (2) empower superintendents, principals, and other school leaders to implement, manage, and lead school dis- tricts and schools in partnership with educators, parents, and other local education stakeholders; and (3) support services and programs that are critical to helping students engage in learning, including coun- seling, extracurricular activities, and mental health sup- ports; Whereas public schools should foster inclusive, safe, and high- quality environments in which children can learn to think critically, problem solve, and build relationships; Whereas public schools should provide environments in which all students have the opportunity to succeed beginning in their earliest years, regardless of who a student is or where a student lives; Whereas Congress should support— (1) efforts to advance equal opportunity and excel- lence in public education; (2) efforts to implement evidence-based practices in public education; and (3) continuous improvements to public education; Whereas every child should— VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:54 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR521.ATS SR521 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 521 ATS (1) receive an education that helps the child reach the full potential of the child; and (2) attend a school that offers a high-quality edu- cational experience; Whereas Federal funding, in addition to State and local funds, supports the access of students to inviting class- rooms, well-prepared educators, and services to support healthy students, including nutrition and afterschool pro- grams; Whereas teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals should provide students with a well-rounded education and strive to create joy in learning; Whereas superintendents, principals, other school leaders, teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents make public schools vital components of communities and are working hard to improve educational outcomes for children across the country; and Whereas the week of February 24 through February 28, 2020, is an appropriate period to designate as ‘‘Public Schools Week’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate designates the week of 1 February 24 through February 28, 2020, as ‘‘Public 2 Schools Week’’. 3 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:54 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR521.ATS SR521 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS