I established the Freedom Works Award to celebrate freedom by recognizing individuals and groups who promote personal responsibility instead of reliance on the government. Schools began in 1990 when a group of local businesses, church leaders and concerned members of the Detroit community joined together to establish academically challenging, faith-based schools for the children of Detroit. Armey with Cornerstone kids at the Capitol C ornerstone students participate in an eleven month school year, mandatory homework assignments four nights a week, foreign language classes from kindergarten to eighth grade, and winter and summer camp experiences. B ut good students and committed teachers aren't enough. Cornerstone's strength lies in its understanding that the key to a child's education is parental involvement.
Cornerstone requires parents to take an active role in their children's education.
E very parent must sign a covenant with the school that requires them to attend regularly scheduled parent meetings, provide their children with a quiet environment to study, ensure that their child is in school every day and do at least ten hours of volunteer service per year. C ornerstone has achieved their success without receiving a single penny of federal assistance. Instead, the school has relied on the personal initiative of community volunteers who have donated countless time and money to befriend and finance these precious children's education. C ornerstone has reminded all of us that nothing is more important to a child's learning potential than involved parents. M r. Speaker, I'm proud to honor this fine school.