Education continues to be my top priority. In Congress, I serve on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce where my goal is for America's schools to be the best in the world.

ENSURING THAT ALL STUDENTS ENTER
THE CLASSROOM READY TO LEARN

I wrote legislation, signed into law by President Clinton, that helps schools start or expand coordinated services programs which link schools with educational, health and social services. Now, I am expanding on this successful program with a bill that establishes grants to help schools and communities create child opportunity zone family centers, called COZs. With this "one-stop-shopping," students and their families can access a range of needed services at one convenient location at, or near, the school site.

Recent studies clearly show that children who start school on an empty stomach have trouble learning, so I introduced legislation to provide school breakfast to all children, regardless of income. With more parents in Sonoma and Marin Counties working long hours and commuting long distances, it is hard for them to ensure their children eat a healthy breakfast. My initiative establishes a new pilot program to allow six school districts to set up universal breakfast programs. This measure was included in the nation's major child nutrition law and the pilot programs will be starting soon.

SUPPORTING AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

The majority of juvenile crimes and teen pregnancies occur between the school bell and the dinner bell -- after school lets out and before parents get home from work. Local communities need help establishing after-school programs that keep kids off the streets and in productive activities. That is why I introduced legislation to allow more students and more schools to participate in the federal after-school snack program. My measure, which is now law, allows eligible students up to age 18 to get snacks in after-school programs. By defraying the cost of snacks, my initiative will make it easier for schools to provide after-school activities for all teens.

INVESTING IN OUR SCHOOLS

Children are 25% of our population and 100% of our nation's future. The best investment we can make for our future is in our children's education.

That is why I am working on the Education Committee to strengthen and improve the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which is the largest source of federal funds to our schools. In addition, I am working with other Members of the California delegation in a bipartisan manner to bring more education funds to California.

To encourage more girls to study and pursue careers in math, science, engineering and technology, I introduced "Go Girl" (Getting Our Girls Ready for the 21st Century Act). "Go Girl" funds and encourages activities to give girls and their parents the information and encouragement they need to pursue degrees and careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.

Knowing that involved parents are one of the most important predictors of high student achievement, I introduced the PARENT Act to give parents more information and involvement in their children's schools. I am proud this bill has been included in the ESEA reauthorization.

MAKING COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE

During the past 15 years, tuition at colleges and universities has risen significantly. I know that more must be done to help every student in Marin and Sonoma Counties go to the college of their choice. When I served on the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, I helped craft the Higher Education Act, the law that governs all forms of federal assistance to students and colleges and universities. This law cut the interest rate on student loans from 8.25% to 7.43%, reducing tuition bills for local families.

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