HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

135

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

URGING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO REMOVE RODNEY PAIGE FROM THE POSITION OF UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.

 

WHEREAS, a centerpiece of the federal government's education policy is the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2002, also known as the "No Child Left Behind Act"; and

WHEREAS, this legislation imposed sweeping mandates on public schools aimed at improving student achievement by requiring mandatory testing and reporting and restricting public funding to schools that fail to show adequate progress; and

WHEREAS, however, a key shortcoming continues to be insufficient funding to meet the requirements of this law; and

WHEREAS, Rodney Paige, the United States Secretary of Education, occupying a key position in expressing federal policy with respect to public education, is responsible for finding ways to help the millions of teachers and school administrators improve student achievement across the nation; and

WHEREAS, the vast majority of these educators have organized into education associations such as the National Education Association (NEA) which has a membership of 2.7 million; and

WHEREAS, as a leading voice of teachers and students across the nation, NEA has expressed concerns regarding the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act; and

WHEREAS, unfortunately, at a meeting with governors on February 23, 2004, Rodney Paige referred to NEA as a "terrorist organization" because teachers have been criticizing President Bush on the shortcomings of his educational reforms, including the lack of adequate funds; and

WHEREAS, his subsequent apology to the members of NEA failed to nullify his inappropriate comments; and

WHEREAS, the use of such inflammatory language against the very constituency that Rodney Paige is hired to support casts doubt about his capability to continue to serve as the nation's Secretary of Education; and

WHEREAS, in a democracy, strong leadership is needed to work with people holding differing views rather than alienate them; and

WHEREAS, through his statements, Rodney Paige has demonstrated that he is incapable of working with teachers and has demeaned the office of the Secretary of Education; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, that President George W. Bush is urged to remove Rodney Paige from the position of United States Secretary of Education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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