Education is the Key
Since the beginning of time, humanity has sought out knowledge and wisdom. The ability to gain a greater understanding of the world around them ensured our ancestors' success, safety, and survival. Over time, as humanity has continued to learn, society has developed, and tools and resources for building and farming have become more sophisticated. Advances in healthcare, agriculture, and the economy have also been made possible. Education is integral to our nation’s future, and our students returning to school is essential for providing our young people with the tools they need to lead us toward a brighter future.
In his own back-to-school address in 1988, President Ronald Reagan said, “Jefferson and the Founders believed a nation that governs itself, like ours, must rely upon an informed and engaged electorate. Their purpose was not only to teach all Americans how to read and write but to instill the self-evident truths that are the anchors of our political system -- truths, to quote Jefferson, such as: ‘all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.'”
For our nation to continue to prosper, we must raise future generations to develop an understanding of civics, learn about not only our nation’s history but world history, and, most importantly, learn about the pillars upon which our nation’s government was built. Creating the best environment for students to learn such things has become a top priority as I represent the Fourth District of Arkansas in Washington.
Earlier this year, it was a great privilege to introduce the Focus on Learning Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation requiring the U.S. Surgeon General to complete a study that considers the effects of cell phone use among students aged K-12 and how it impacts their mental health and academic performance.
Cell phone use has already been proven to cause major disruptions in the development of young people’s minds and creates barriers to an effective educational experience. It is encouraging to see Arkansas lead the charge at the state level to address the challenges cell phone use in the classroom causes, not just for students but for school staff and teachers. As I continue to serve my friends and neighbors in Congress, efforts like these will always remain a priority, and the support from colleagues on both sides of the aisle is encouraging and appreciated.
Our nation is blessed with an abundance of opportunity. In order to secure these opportunities for our children and ensure a greater future for our nation, education remains an important key. My deepest hope is that this school year, students will be eager to learn, teachers will lead with compassion and dedication, and families will surround their students with support and instill values that will not only benefit their child but ultimately their communities.