Date: 2004-07-20
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. I thank my friend for yielding me this time. Over the past decade. the District of Columbia. which previously had faced a fiscal crisis of Shakespearean proportions. has embarked on an impressive road to financial recovery. With the help of the nowdormant Control Board and the 1997 Revitalization Act. the District has taken care of its financial house. It has balanced its budget for 7 consecutive years without tricks or gimmicks. and it has a cash reserve that is the envy of almost every municipality in the Nation. The Federal assistance provided in our annual appropriation bills promotes and advances the rebirth of our Nations Capital. * This years bill funds a wide range of programs that will enhance the quality of life for D.C. residents and those who visit and work in the Nations Capital. The increase in funding for emergency planning and security will help ensure that we are ready for the worst. I am pleased to see that the Child and Family Services Agency will continue to receive adequate funding to help protect the Districts most vulnerable residents and that the D.C. court will have additional funds to continue its muchneeded renovation project. I am particularly pleased the D.C. College Access Program will receive enhanced funding. The increase reflects the programs indisputable positive impact on the District. The College Access Program has been a key component of the Districts revitalization efforts. and I am heartened that the gentleman from New Jersey (Chairman FRELINGHUYSEN) agrees that Congress needs to continue its partnership with the District in providing access to higher education. resources. and opportunities. Since the inception of this legislation. the number of high school seniors in the District going on to college has increased by 28 percent. That is a remarkable achievement. The impact is undeniable. The national average over the same period. while it was 28 percent in the District of Columbia. was 5 percent nationally. Finally. I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Chairman FRELINGHUYSEN) for fully funding the D.C. School Choice initiative. The bill before us maintains the careful balance that was struck last year. Of the $40 million for education. there is $13 million for the Districts public schools for teacher training. recruitment. and improving student achievement. These funds are in addition to the large increases already guaranteed to D.C. public schools through Federal programs. There is another $13 million for D.C. charter schools to support and expand their capacity. and there is $13 million for the School Choice Scholarship program. along with an additional $1 million for administrative expenses. The fact is. the District of Columbia is one of the most troubled public school systems in the United States. and working with the local government. working with the school system. working with the Mayor. we are trying to reverse that. Again. I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Chairman FRELINGHUYSEN) for the time and the energy he and his staff have devoted in reviewing the D.C. budget and bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank the ranking member. the gentleman from Pennsylvania . for his work and. of course. my colleague. the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia . for our continued partnership.