Washington D.C. (September 17, 2009) – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today won two legislative victories to improve health and education in America by ensuring that funding is available to remove sources of lead in school buildings and to expand reporting requirements to include reporting on barriers to high-quality early learning programs. Both programs were adopted as part of H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009. 

“As a strong advocate for education, I am glad to see Congress investing in providing quality education programs in a safe environment. This legislation creates an investment in our infrastructure as well as the lives and health of our children,” said Kucinich.

One of Kucinich’s amendments requires the states that get the grants provided by this bill to identify the barriers to expanding access to disadvantaged children. The second amendment ensures that funds authorized as part of the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act would be available to remove sources of lead in drinking water pipes. 

Children are particularly sensitive to lead contamination.  Their bodies are developing and growing and absorb more lead than an adult body. Even at low levels of lead exposure, children can experience reduced I.Q., impaired learning and language skills, hearing loss, problems with attention span, and aggressive behavior that studies have linked to a higher likelihood of criminal activity.  At greater levels, lead poisoning can also damage the brain and central nervous systems, interfering with learning and physical growth.

“I believe that access to quality education is a universal right. This legislation takes important steps to ensure that students of all social and economic backgrounds are afforded the opportunity to attend high-quality educational institutions,” added Kucinich.

The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3221) was approved by a bipartisan vote of 253 to 171.

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