Speeches 
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June 23, 2022
Good morning.
Throughout American history, landmark laws have brought waves of change that carried our country toward a more perfect union.
Before the Fair Labor Standards Act, many children didn't spend their days learning in schools, but working in factories.
Before the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Black Americans had no federal statutory protection from the racial discrimination of the Jim Crow era.
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June 7, 2022
Chair Murray, Ranking Member Blunt, Distinguished Subcommittee.
Good morning and thank you.
While I will focus on the budget and priorities of the Department of Education, I must start by sharing that, together, we must meet this moment.
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May 4, 2022
Good morning, Chairwoman DeLauro and Ranking Member Cole.
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January 27, 2022
I remember being five-years-old, walking into my first day of kindergarten at John Barry School in Connecticut, nervous. At that time, I was learning English. I felt like I didn't belong. It turned out to be a horrible day. My mom had to pick me up early from the nurse's office. I'm not sure if it was the feeling of being overwhelmed, being around bigger kids who spoke English a lot better than me, or maybe a feeling that the challenge ahead of me was too great.
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October 21, 2021
The past three days have been an engaging experience as I’ve listened and learned alongside all of you. From Canada, America’s close neighbor to the north, to our Asian colleagues in Singapore and China, to our many friends in Europe, it’s been a privilege to sit at this virtual table with all of you and our international cohosts at Education International and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
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October 18, 2021
Welcome to the 2021 International Summit on the Teaching Profession. I am honored to host on behalf of the United States, together with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and Education International.
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September 30, 2021
Good morning, Chair Murray and Ranking Member Burr.
I’m honored to be alongside my colleague and friend, Secretary Becerra, speaking about the critical work of safely reopening our nation’s schools for in-person learning.
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August 4, 2021
Thank you, Mayor Scott, not only for your kind introduction, but for the work you and the city have done on behalf of the students and residents here in Baltimore.
In partnership with your schools, the medical health system and the health department, the City of Baltimore is an example of the type of leadership it's going to take to not only get through this pandemic but to thrive on the other side.
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July 28, 2021
Welcome to this year's EducationUSA Forum. Let me begin by acknowledging the hard work done over the past 16 months at colleges and universities, K-12 schools, and other educational institutions across the United States.
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June 24, 2021
Good morning Chair Scott, Ranking Member Foxx, and distinguished members of the Committee.