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. WARNER, 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 students come to be educated about the values and beliefs 

that hold the individuals of the United States together as 

a nation; 


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 districts 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 counseling, extracurricular activities, and mental health supports; 

Whereas public schools should foster inclusive, safe, and highquality 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 excellence in public education; 

(2) efforts to implement evidence-based practices in 

public education; and 

(3) continuous improvements to public education; 

Whereas every child should— 


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 educational experience; 

Whereas Federal funding, in addition to State and local 

funds, supports the access of students to inviting classrooms, well-prepared educators, and services to support 

healthy students, including nutrition and afterschool programs; 

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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate designates the week of 

2 February 24 through February 28, 2020, as ‘‘Public 

3 Schools Week’’. 

Æ 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS