Give us the flexibility to manage these resources and apply them to the areas of greatest need in our state. Measure our children's educational progress. We will meet the challenge. Mr. President, I look forward to a challenging and informative debate. It is my sincere hope that we will be successful in crafting legislation which will genuinely put children first.
Children are America's greatest asset, and our future depends on their educational excellence.
We must ensure that no child is left behind. We must ensure that the achievement gap is closed between disadvantaged children and their peers. For it we fail, we have failed not only ourselves, but future generations. I am confident we are up to the task. I thank the Chair and yield the floor.