Thank you, Terry, for that introduction. I am honored to be here with you tonight to help celebrate the accomplishments of this year's winners of this prestigious award named after a great man - Harold McGraw. As you know, I planned to come last year, but my boss was giving a little speech that night - The State of the Union. So, I appreciate this opportunity to thank the fine educators being honored tonight - Dennis Littky, Libia Soccoro Gil, and someone whose good work I know well -- Eric Smith, the Superintendent of Anne Arundel School District in Maryland. I am happy to go anywhere to thank good educators. You really care about the education of our nation's children - and it shows. Fortunately, we have a President who is making sure you're getting the tools to do your job.

President Bush feels, as most Americans feel, that ours is a great nation. But he knows also, that it cannot sustain its greatness unless we drastically improve our public education system. On his 4th day in office, he put a proposal before Congress designed to change the culture of American public education. He asked the Congress to undertake a vigorous bipartisan debate of his proposal. The No Child Left Behind education reform proposal, was designed to change the public education system from one which educates some of the children very well, to a system that educates all of its children well.

This time last year, we were at an educational crossroads. Both the House and Senate had responded to the President's call, and joined in bipartisan support of his proposal for improving American education. We knew however, that final passage of the bill hinged on whether the conference committee could reconcile the difference between the two bills and achieve common ground. At the time, there were no signs on the horizon indicating when that process would even get underway. And we had plenty of reason for concern if the measure failed.

Although there were many schools in America doing a great job, national report cards showed a growing achievement gap between those who are hopeful and those who are hopeless. These reports showed: 2 out of 3 fourth graders couldn't read proficiently, 7 out of 10 inner-city and rural fourth graders couldn't read at the most basic level, and America's 12th graders ranked among the lowest in math and science achievement among their counterparts around the world. Those are not just cold statistics. They represent the human toll of an education system that has failed too many children for too long.

Then, on September 11th, the unthinkable happened. America was attacked. And a sadder, but stronger nation united to face the grim task of mourning for the dead, healing the wounds, and rooting out terrorism where it lives. In the months that followed, our President led the way with a steely resolve to protect America and bring those responsible to justice. Yet throughout, he has never once lost focus on those things that matter most right here at home: creating jobs; expanding opportunities to save and invest and own a piece of the American dream; and especially, educating every single child. He is busy right now fighting terror, maybe preparing for war. But even while building an international coalition, he is also building a bipartisan coalition to improve America's schools.

Just like he did with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. His persistence brought about a remarkable consensus by both parties in both houses of Congress that now is the time for fundamental change - by insisting on accountability and results; local control and flexibility; increased choices for parents; quality teachers in every classroom; and teaching methods that are based upon solid research. And President Bush made sure we got historic levels of funding to get the job done: We have the largest education budget for disadvantaged children in U.S. history. And we have nearly $1 billion in funding for the President's Reading First initiatives. These are remarkable levels of funding to ensure that every child in America's schools learns the one skill on which all others depend: Reading. Under No Child Left Behind, a quality education is the expectation - not the exception.

The President and I share a simple and fundamental philosophy - and that is this: We believe every child can learn. And we believe that all children - no matter the color of their skin or the accent of their speech -- deserve schools where the instruction is rigorous, the teachers are qualified, and those in charge are held accountable for results. Whether your product is rockets or reading - eCommerce or education -- results matter. In education, it's the only way to know who needs help - and who's getting left behind.

Defenders of the status quo hate the idea of testing. But parents don't. Recent polls show the American people standing shoulder to shoulder with the President on annual testing. And the reason is that moms and dads want the best for their children. They understand that the only way to know if teachers are teaching and their children are learning is to measure for results - and to hold schools accountable. And No Child Left Behind holds schools accountable.

We're plowing historic new ground here. And I am confident we will succeed. And I truly believe that, years from now, people are going to look back on the compassionate vision of this President and say, That was the tipping point. That's when they raised the bar and student achievement soared. That's when leadership triumphed over politics and no child was left behind. That's when we finally created great schools worthy of this great nation. Thank you.

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