Actions
On February 17, 2009, President Obama took a bold step to fight the recession and signed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) into law. One of the reasons I voted for this bill is because of its historic investment in education. Part of the road to recovery is providing our future workforce with the best education in the world. By investing quickly and wisely, we can use the education funds to renovate and modernize our school facilities, drive key reforms, and improve the quality of education by giving students, teachers, and administrators the resources they need in a 21st Century classroom.
See H.R. 1 as signed into law
See the letter from California Delegation to Gov. Schwarzenegger
See the Department of Education's ARRA powerpoint presentation I continue to work with my colleagues to develop legislation that reflects the recommendations shared with me by students, parents, teachers, principals, and superintendents. However, if the NCLB reauthorization language does not invoke significant reforms, I will be extremely hesitant to support it. As a parent of three children, I remain committed to my belief that education reform must help students and educators without undue impediments and bureaucratic processes.
See recent actions on NCLB from the Committee on Education and Labor
I am proud to say that with my support, the University of California, Merced is the 10th campus in the prestigious University of California system. UC Merced is diverse, growing, and committed to those ideals that serve the state, nation, and world through education, research, and public service. It increases educational access and opportunities for San Joaquin Valley students and will contribute to enhanced job opportunities, new business development, and economic growth throughout Central California. It is with great pride that the first full senior class will graduate from UC Merced in May 2009.
See H.Res 396, recognizing the first graduating class of UC Merced, as passed
See the press release on the UC Merced graduation resolution
Click here for the UC Merced website
In addition, I helped facilitate the creation of the UC Merced School of Medicine to address the critical projected physician shortage and combat serious health-related illnesses that plague the Valley. Recently, the Valley Coalition for a UC Medical School adopted a formal resolution calling for an acceleration of the school's development as well as increased clinical opportunities for students in the San Joaquin Valley. The California Endowment also awarded a $147,000 grant to the Valley Coalition for a UC Merced Medical School.
See the press release announcing the UC Medical School grant
See the press release on the UC Regents decision to authorize a medical school
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