Ft. Mitchell, KY – Congressman Geoff Davis welcomed U.S. House of Representatives Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon to the Fourth Congressional District today.
At Boone County’s Ralph Rush Professional Development Center, Congressman Davis and Chairman McKeon participated in a school safety roundtable with superintendents from across the District. Following the roundtable, Congressman Davis and Chairman McKeon held an open forum with parents, teachers and community leaders to discuss No Child Left Behind and other education policies.
Congressman Davis stated, “It’s an honor to host Chairman McKeon at these events to talk with our parents, teachers and school leaders about federal education policies affecting our Kentucky schools. As Congress prepares to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act next year, I believe it is important to facilitate an open dialogue between our school officials and policymakers. I am committed to continuing to work with our teachers and school officials to ensure that our students get the quality education they deserve.”
Chairman McKeon said, “Today’s forum provided Congressman Davis and me a wonderful opportunity to hear firsthand from concerned parents and community leaders about safety and other issues facing our schools. In these discussions, it’s important to recognize that we cannot legislate safety. Rather – and more importantly – we must provide law enforcement, school administrators, teachers, and parents with the best available tools so they’re empowered to make decisions in the best interests of students in their communities. That’s just what Congress has done – and will continue to do. And I commend Congressman Davis for taking the lead in this effort.”
Congressman Davis is also involved in the following efforts that will benefit Kentucky’s students and teachers:
- Congressman Davis sponsored H.R. 5295, the Student and Teacher Safety Act which passed the House on September 19, 2006. This legislation requires schools receiving certain federal funds to clarify their policies on school searches. This is a proactive effort at keeping drugs, guns and violence out of our nation’s schools. The recent trend in escalating school violence is a powerful illustration of the necessity to empower teachers and school administrators to conduct student searches. Clarifying school policies will help ensure school officials and students understand the rules and will help deter disruptive behavior. H.R. 5295 is endorsed by the National Education Association (NEA).
- Congressman Davis was proud to support H.R. 5970, the Estate Tax and Extension of Tax Relief Act of 2006 which passed the House on July 29, 2006. This important tax legislation will extend to 2007 a $250 tax deduction for teachers’ out-of-pocket classroom expenses that include books, supplies and other necessities. This legislation will also extend to 2007 a $4,000 tax deduction for higher education expenses in lieu of the Hope of Lifetime Learning Credit.
- Congressman Davis is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1177, the State and Local Education Flexibility Act. This legislation will provide teachers with increased flexibility in meeting standards set forth in the No Child Left Behind Act.
- Additionally, Congressman Davis is a co-sponsor of H.R. 147, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2005. This legislation would repeal the Government Pension Offset – Windfall Elimination Provision law. Its repeal will restore fundamental fairness to an important part of our social security laws.
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