Good evening. I’m Congressman Paul Ryan from Janesville, Wisconsin – and Chairman here at the House Budget Committee.
President Obama just addressed a Congressional chamber filled with many new faces. One face we did not see tonight was that of our friend and colleague, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona. We all miss Gabby and her cheerful spirit; and we are praying for her return to the House Chamber.
Earlier this month, President Obama spoke movingly at a memorial event for the six people who died on that violent morning in Tucson. Still, there are no words that can lift the sorrow that now engulfs the families and friends of the fallen.
What we can do is assure them that the nation is praying for them; that, in the words of the Psalmist, the Lord heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds; and that over time grace will replace grief.
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Michelle Rhee is the former chancellor of the Washington DC Public Schools. She was considered by many to be one of the leaders in education reform working with Democratic Mayor Adrian Fenty, before left wing extremists through Fenty under the bus and went with the candidate hand picked by the teachers unions. Rhee was suddenly unemployed.
Since education reform, for me, is the most important issue I want any of the Republican presidential candidates to be talking about, I want to make sure I highlight any speech any of the potential candidates gives on the topic. This is from Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels recent 
Education reform is an important issue for everyone in this country, that’s like saying rain is wet. However politically, for Republicans, it’s ripe for us to claim for ourselves. Democrats were known as the “education” party, but it’s becoming clear to people they are more the “teachers union” party, who even independent voters and some moderate Dems are sick of.
