Tuesday
Aug252009
Education Is The Civil Rights Issue Of This Generation Says Ed Secretary
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 5:45PM
By Laura Woodhead - Talk Radio News Service
Speaking at a news conference to celebrate the 46th anniversary of the March on Washington and the launch of the "Kids for King" education initiative, U.S Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that while it was important to remember Martin Luther King Jr, it was also essential to acknowledge the progress that still has yet to be made.
"We must never forget the progress that Dr. King inspired in civil rights and social justice, and we must recognize how much work is still ahead of us" said the Secretary. "With high school drop-out rates unacceptable high and college completion rates far too low, education is clearly the civil rights issue of this generation."
"Every child and adult deserves a quality education. This is the only lasting way to fuel our economic recovery and end stubborn cycles of poverty and social failure"
The "Kids For Kings" education initiative encourages children from grades 3-12 to communicate what they have learned from Dr. King and how they plan on continuing his legacy through essays, artwork and video. 9 entrants will win a trip to Washington DC.
"We have to make sure those lessons are instilled in our next generation, and I worry a lot about that , about our young students thinking that's ancient history, that we've solved those challenges," Duncan said.
Duncan was speaking on the sight of the planned Martin Luther King Jr memorial. The memorial which will cost $120 million, $106 of which has been raised includes a 28ft sculpture of the civil rights leader. To much applause, Secretary Duncan pledged to "make some calls" in order to speed up the permit for the memorial from the Parks service, in order for construction at the sight to begin.
Speaking at a news conference to celebrate the 46th anniversary of the March on Washington and the launch of the "Kids for King" education initiative, U.S Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that while it was important to remember Martin Luther King Jr, it was also essential to acknowledge the progress that still has yet to be made.
"We must never forget the progress that Dr. King inspired in civil rights and social justice, and we must recognize how much work is still ahead of us" said the Secretary. "With high school drop-out rates unacceptable high and college completion rates far too low, education is clearly the civil rights issue of this generation."
"Every child and adult deserves a quality education. This is the only lasting way to fuel our economic recovery and end stubborn cycles of poverty and social failure"
The "Kids For Kings" education initiative encourages children from grades 3-12 to communicate what they have learned from Dr. King and how they plan on continuing his legacy through essays, artwork and video. 9 entrants will win a trip to Washington DC.
"We have to make sure those lessons are instilled in our next generation, and I worry a lot about that , about our young students thinking that's ancient history, that we've solved those challenges," Duncan said.
Duncan was speaking on the sight of the planned Martin Luther King Jr memorial. The memorial which will cost $120 million, $106 of which has been raised includes a 28ft sculpture of the civil rights leader. To much applause, Secretary Duncan pledged to "make some calls" in order to speed up the permit for the memorial from the Parks service, in order for construction at the sight to begin.
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