Jeff Merkley Welcomes Back Students and Teachers

Renews Call For Real Investment in Public Education

Today, House Speaker Jeff Merkley, candidate for U.S. Senate, is welcoming back students, teachers, and education support professionals on their first day of school. Like many parents, Merkley took time away from his work to take his own children to school on their first day and greet some of their new teachers.

"When I drop my children off on their first day of school each year, I think about how my father pointed to the schoolhouse doors when he dropped me off at school and said that those were 'the doors of opportunity'," said House Speaker Jeff Merkley. "He said that 'if you go through those doors and you work hard, you can do or be just about anything.' I am so thankful for all the teachers and education support professionals, many of whom have been working hard all summer to prepare for our students. They work so hard every day so that my children and millions of others can achieve their God-given potential."

As part of his campaign for U.S. Senate, Merkley is calling for a new federal investment in public education across the country. He understands that students and parents need support starting with pre-kindergarten programs and continuing through higher education. Under Merkley's leadership as Speaker, the Oregon Legislature expanded Head Start in Oregon, passed the largest K-12 education budget in state history, and doubled funding for college scholarships. This is the kind of change Jeff Merkley will deliver in Washington D.C.

While Merkley stands with students, parents, and teachers, Gordon Smith has voted with George Bush at least twice to shortchange our schools by underfunding the No Child Left Behind Law. [Senate Vote #60, 3/19/03; Senate Vote #35, 3/10/04] Smith created an unfunded mandate and increased pressure on already strapped local budgets.

Posted September 3, 2008
Press