Search
Office Locations
-
Office Locations
Washington D.C. Office
2264 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515Cullman District Office
205 Fourth Ave. NE, Ste 104
Cullman, AL 35055Serving Cullman, Blount, Morgan and Marshall (City of Arab) Counties
Decatur District Office
Morgan County Courthouse
Post Office Box 668
Decatur, AL 35602Serving Morgan County
Gadsden District Office
107 Federal Building
600 Broad Street
Gadsden, AL 35901Serving Etowah, DeKalb, Marshall (Excluding Arab) and St. Clair Counties
Jasper District Office
247 Carl Elliott Building
1710 Alabama Avenue
Jasper, AL 35501Serving Walker, Winston, Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Pickens and Franklin Counties
Education
"Knowledge is power." Thomas Jefferson, January 1820
Most people understand the importance of education to their lives, but unfortunately, not everyone has the same educational opportunities. Government can have an important role to play in improving education for all citizens. Sometimes the real question is who is in the best position to determine what improvements are to be made and how they'll be implemented?
There are many who believe that the federal government should be more involved in determining what happens in our nation's schools. I disagree. While the federal government can certainly play a role in funding educational opportunities for students and determining national priorities, it shouldn't be involved in determining a day-to-day classroom curriculum or where a local community spends it educational dollars.
I firmly believe that parents and local and state officials are in the best position to determine what is needed in their school system. Washington D.C. is hundreds of miles in distance from North Alabama and light years away in terms of understanding the area's educational needs. Why would we want some federal department in Washington determining our educational agenda?
The answer is we don't.
While educational reform is needed, it needs to begin at the local and state level. Schools need qualified teachers in the classroom. They need the financial resources for computers and other teaching aids that will be critical to our children's development. I'm committed to doing my part in Washington to provide the necessary support while protecting the rights of local communities and leaders in determining their educational future.