May 23, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1073 requirements, coordinate with teacher activi- cal year 2008. The first in what will be a series dress the needs of students with different ties under Title II of the No Child Left Behind of bills to reauthorize the Higher Education learning styles (particularly students with dis- Act, and ensure that current and future teach- Act, the Ready to Teach Act seeks to meet abilities), and receive training in methods of ers are highly qualified. Authorized grant ac- the call of the No Child Left Behind Act to improving student behavior in the classroom. tivities will place a renewed emphasis on the place a highly qualified teacher in every class- Teacher recruitment grants under the Ready skills needed to meet the highly qualified room by making improvements that will help to Teach Act will help bring high quality indi- standard: the use of advanced technology in ensure teacher training programs are pro- viduals into teacher programs, and ultimately the classroom, rigorous academic content ducing well-prepared teachers to meet the put more highly qualified teachers into class- knowledge, scientifically based research, and needs of America’s students. rooms. The Ready to Teach Act recognizes challenging state student academic content The caliber of teacher education programs the need to ensure that high need local edu- standards. In particular, states are authorized at institutions of higher education has come cational agencies are able to effectively recruit to use grant funds for innovative methods for under increased scrutiny over the past several highly qualified teachers, and will help answer teacher preparation programs, such as charter years. Among other things, teacher prepara- that need by increasing the number of teach- colleges of education, that exchange flexibility tion programs have been criticized for pro- ers being trained. Additionally, this legislation in meeting state requirements for institutional viding prospective teachers with inadequate places a priority on applicants that will empha- commitments to produce results-based out- time to learn subject matter; for teaching a su- size measures to recruit minorities into the comes for teacher education graduates— perficial curriculum; and for being unduly frag- teaching profession. measured based on increased student aca- mented, with courses not linked to practice Current law provisions in Title II of the High- demic achievement. teaching and with education faculty isolated er Education Act include annual reporting re- The Ready to Teach Act authorizes partner- from their arts and sciences faculty col- quirements to hold states and teacher prepa- ship grants to enable effective partners to join leagues. ration programs accountable for producing a together, combining strengths and resources Accordingly, the Ready to Teach Act author- competent teaching force. The Ready to to train highly qualified teachers and achieve izes competitively awarded grants to: (1) in- Teach Act strengthens these reporting require- success in the classroom. These partnerships crease student academic achievement; (2) im- ments to ensure complete and effective infor- will require faculty of participating teacher prove the quality of the current and future mation is available to determine the effective- preparation programs to serve with a highly teaching force by improving the preparation of ness of teacher preparation programs. Under qualified teacher in the classroom, allowing ef- prospective teachers and enhancing profes- this legislation: fective in-class experience to ensure that high- sional development activities; (3) hold institu- States must report annually to the Secretary ly qualified teachers are truly prepared to tions of higher education accountable for pre- of Education on the percentage of students teach. paring highly qualified teachers; (4) and recruit passing state certification or licensure and Teacher recruitment grants under the Act highly qualified individuals, including minorities rank the quality of all teacher preparation pro- will help bring high quality individuals into and individuals from other occupations, into grams in the state. teacher preparation programs and gives a the teaching force. As in current law, funds for The Secretary of Education must analyze funding priority for applicants that will empha- these grants will be distributed in the following teacher qualifications and preparation in the size measures to recruit minorities into the manner: 45 percent of the funds are reserved United States, providing: a comparison of teaching profession, providing a teaching for State grants; 45 percent of the funds are states’ efforts to improve teaching quality; and workforce that is both highly qualified and di- reserved for partnership grants; and 10 per- the national mean and median scores on any verse. cent of the funds are reserved for teacher re- standardized test that is used in 1 or more The Ready to Teach Act will also hold cruitment grants. state for teacher certification or licensure. teacher preparation programs accountable for State grants under the Act must be used to Institutions of higher education with teacher preparing highly qualified teachers. While cur- reform teacher preparation requirements, co- preparation programs must report on the num- rent higher education law contains annual re- ordinate with teacher activities under Title II of ber of students passing state certification re- porting requirements, these reporting meas- the No Child Left Behind Act, and ensure that quirements, with improved reporting require- ures have proven ineffective in measuring the current and future teachers are highly quali- ments that will prevent ‘‘gaming’’ of data that true quality of teacher preparation programs. fied. Programs administered through state leave results without meaning. Additionally, in- In fact, the current requirements have often grants would focus on effective teacher prepa- stitutions must compare both pass rates and been manipulated, leaving data skewed and ration, placing a renewed emphasis on the average scores of their program participants often irrelevant. The Ready to Teach Act in- skills needed to meet the highly qualified with those of other programs in the state, cludes accountability provisions that will standard: the use of advanced technology in making effective comparison data available to strengthen reporting measures and hold the classroom, rigorous academic content measure program quality. teacher preparation programs accountable for knowledge, scientifically based research, and The Ready to Teach Act of 2003 will im- providing accurate and useful information. challenging state student academic content prove the quality and accountability of our na- This bill makes needed reforms to improve standards. tion’s teacher preparation programs. I ask my the quality and accountability of our nation’s In addition, states are authorized to use colleagues to support this legislation and look teacher preparation programs. I would like to grant funds for innovative methods for teacher forward to working with the distinguished commend Mr. Gingrey for his work on the preparation programs, such as charter col- Chairman of the Subcommittee on 21st Cen- Ready to Teach Act. I would also like to thank leges of education, which can provide an alter- tury Competitiveness, Mr. MCKEON, and the Mr. McKeon, Chairman of the Subcommittee native gateway for teachers to become highly Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Mr. on 21st Century Competitiveness, for his con- qualified. Teacher advancement and retention KILDEE, to move this bill so we can ensure our tinuing efforts to improve all aspects of our initiatives will also be created, such as merit- children are receiving a world class education. country’s higher education system. I look for- based performance systems and professional f ward to working with my colleagues on both growth opportunities. These activities will help sides of the aisle and believe that this legisla- ensure that schools are able to recruit highly INTRODUCTION OF THE HISPANIC tion will enjoy broad support in the Congress. qualified teachers while having the necessary HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACT f flexibility to remove incompetent or unqualified teachers. HON. HILDA L. SOLIS INTRODUCTION OF THE READY TO The Ready to Teach Act authorizes partner- OF CALIFORNIA TEACH ACT OF 2003 ship grants so educational entities can com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bine expertise and resources to improve HON. PHIL GINGREY teacher training. Each eligible partnership Thursday, May 22, 2003 OF GEORGIA must include at least: (1) a high quality teach- Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES er preparation program at an institution of my colleague, Congressman CIRO RODRIGUEZ, higher education; (2) a school of arts and in introducing the Hispanic Health Improve- Thursday, May 22, 2003 sciences; (3) a high need LEA; and (4) a pub- ment Act of 2003. Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, today I am in- lic or private educational organization. Among Every 24 hours in this country, over 2,700 troducing the Ready to Teach Act of 2003 to other things, partnership activities will help to people are diagnosed with diabetes, just one reauthorize teacher quality provisions under ensure that teachers are able to use advanced of the multitude of diseases and illnesses Title II of the Higher Education Act through fis- technology effectively in the classroom, ad- plaguing our Nation. And of these 2,700 daily

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:48 May 25, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22MY8.088 E23PT1 E1074 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 23, 2003 new cases of diabetes, minority groups like OBSERVER STATUS FOR TAIWAN TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE Latinos are disproportionately affected. LARRY COMBEST But diabetes is not the only illness that bur- HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS SPEECH OF dens Hispanic communities more than non- OF TEXAS Hispanic populations. Diseases like asthma, HON. HENRY BONILLA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, obesity and OF TEXAS cancer consistently plague Latino communities Thursday, May 22, 2003 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES at rates that are simply unacceptable. Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Monday, May 19, 2003 As many of you will recall, in 1999, Con- recognition of the World Health Organization’s gress petitioned the Institute of Medicine to Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to 56th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Swit- express the deep admiration I share with each conduct a report to assess the extent of racial zerland this week, and to voice my support of member of the Texas Delegation for Rep- and ethnic disparities in health care and the granting Taiwan observer status for WHO resentative LARRY COMBEST. It is with a heavy resulting disease outcomes. We have been functions. heart that I stand here today to send off my given our answers. In her opening address to the Assembly, friend from West Texas. LARRY and his lovely Some of the top research institutions in the WHO Director-General Dr. Gro Harlem wife Sharon have truly made a difference to country continually report that the health of Brundtland outlined the key lessons learned his constituents, the state of Texas and the Hispanics in the U.S. is deteriorating and must so far from the outbreak of Severe Acute Res- nation. be addressed. piratory Syndrome (SARS) and called for ex- While serving as Chairman of the Com- For example, 37 percent of non-elderly panded surveillance and rapid response to mittee on Agriculture, LARRY proved his true Latinos are uninsured—a rate twice that of save lives and protect economies against new leadership during the deliberation of the 2002 non-Hispanic whites, and most come from diseases in the future. Farm Bill. Through long, hard days and nights working families. The incidence of AIDS In February, the world was introduced to working tirelessly on the measure, LARRY among Hispanics is around 200 per 100,000, this dangerous new disease. It is believed that never lost sight of the true reason for the bill. while it is only 60 per 100,000 among non- the current epidemic originated in China, rap- The farmers and ranchers of this nation owe Latino whites. list goes on and on. idly spread to East and Southeast Asia, and LARRY a great debt of gratitude for his distin- then onto Europe, the United States, Canada, guished service. That being said, the true Latinos are now 16 percent of the total pop- and the rest of the world in a manner that left measure of LARRY COMBEST may not be his ulation, so it is imperative that we address the many in the medical community searching for astute knowledge of agriculture and politics, increasing trends in poor Latino health. The answers. but the balance he has kept between his pub- need to act on behalf of our Latino commu- lic life and his private life. It is apparent to nities is great, and today we are being pre- Global infection rates seemed to peak in mid-March, but the persistent nature of SARS anyone who knows LARRY that his family has sented with the opportunity to help. continues to raise concern among both med- always been his top priority. The Hispanic Health Improvement Act is our ical professionals and government officials. I commend LARRY for his great service, and chance to respond to the data and to commit The United States has been able to keep wish him the best as he and Sharon embark to the health of our Latino communities across this disease at bay—but other members of the together on their next adventure in life. the U.S. This bill is a comprehensive measure international community have had more dif- focusing exclusively on improving the health ficulty dealing with the disease and some f among Latino populations. This bill expands international organizations have hindered the TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE the important State Children’s Health Insur- sharing of information and resources, most no- LARRY COMBEST ance Program, S–CHIP, to cover low-income tably with Taiwan. pregnant women and parents, and it gives The World Health Organization has reported SPEECH OF States the option to cover any individual below over 7,800 cases of SARS worldwide in 33 100 percent of poverty under their Medicaid countries, with more than 600 deaths. More HON. MIKE PENCE program. It provides for an enhanced 90 per- than 7,000 of these cases have been reported OF INDIANA cent Federal matching rate to States through in Asia. The people of Taiwan have been es- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Medicaid and S–CHIP to provide language pecially affected. They have recorded 344 Monday, May 19, 2003 services—like oral interpretation, or translation cases of SARS and 40 deaths, but have no of written materials—for individuals with limited Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, when America’s representation in the World Health Organiza- English proficiency. farmers and ranchers found themselves de- tion. The international community does not void of a proper safety net while facing record These services are extremely critical when largely recognize theirs as a legitimate govern- low prices, they found an advocate in LARRY one third of Latinos and over 40 percent of ment, thus limiting the degree of help that is COMBEST. As Chairman of the House Agri- Spanish-speaking Latinos report having prob- available to this tiny, democratic nation. If Tai- culture Committee, LARRY utilized his trade- lems communicating with their health care pro- wan was able to participate as an observer of mark discipline to develop a balanced farm vider. WHO, additional resources could be brought bill, seeking the input of countless producers. to bear to address their domestic health crisis. The bill also addresses health disparities by His efforts resulted in a flexible farm policy establishing programs and grants to respond More needs to be done to contain this dis- that will provide stability to American agri- to diabetes, cancer, asthma, HIV infection, ease and a good first step would be to grant culture producers for years to come. LARRY’S AIDS, obesity, oral health, mental health, and WHO observer status to Taiwan. leadership and strong voice will be sorely other illnesses. It also recognizes the need to On June 17, 2003, WHO plans to hold an missed not only by his constituents in West strengthen the diversity in our health care international conference in Kuala Lumpur, Ma- Texas, but by all of rural America. work force by supporting Hispanic-serving laysia to review the epidemiological, clinical Further, Mr. Speaker, those of us who have health professional schools and training health management and laboratory findings on SARS had the pleasure of working with LARRY hold providers in cultural competency. and to discuss global control strategies. Key him in the highest regard not only as the vi- As you can see, this legislation is the critical participants in the response to the current out- sionary behind American farm policy, but also pivot point whereby we can reverse the sliding breaks and other public health authorities will as a friend. health of our Latino population. be invited to attend the conference. But since LARRY and his lovely wife Sharon were Taiwan is not even granted observer status in among the first people to welcome my wife In conclusion, I want to applaud the leader- WHO, it has not been invited to participate in and me to Washington when I arrived for the ship of my good friend Congressman CIRO this vital convention. This is especially trou- 107th Congress. They extended neighborly RODRIGUEZ in championing this bill for several bling, since recent reports show that Taiwan is compassion and sound guidance, the very years. at the epicenter of this epidemic. things you’d expect from a West Texas cou- I am pleased to be part of this effort and I I hope my colleagues will join me in sup- ple. Karen and I are truly grateful for their urge my colleagues to seize this opportunity to porting the admittance of Taiwan’s health min- friendship. protect the future health of Latinos—and all ister to attend the WHO’s conference on infec- Mr. Speaker, I wish LARRY COMBEST the Americans—by cosponsoring this bill. tious diseases next month in Malaysia. best in his coming retirement.

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