McCaul Launches Green Schools Caucus New caucus focused on healthier schools and healthier students

(Washington, D.C.)- Children miss fewer school days due to illness and achieve higher academic performance in environmentally healthier schools and a new Congressional effort is now officially underway to make sure America’s children are learning in the safest and most effective environments possible.

On Wednesday, December 5, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) held the first meeting of the Green Schools Caucus. The goal of this bipartisan working group is to help make America’s schools environmentally safe and thus provide a healthier classroom for all school aged children.

"It’s real simple. If we expect our children to take full advantage of an American education, we owe it to them to provide the safest and most environmentally sound schools and classrooms available," stated Congressman Michael McCaul. He went on to say, "Today, there are American schools which are harmful to our children. That is unacceptable."

The Green Schools Caucus is made up of both Republicans and Democrats and is adding more Members of Congress everyday. The group is chaired by Congressmen Michael McCaul of Texas, Jim Matheson of Utah and Congresswoman Darlene Hooley of Oregon.

During the kickoff event, Texas architect Stan Haas, who designed the Pickle Elementary School in Austin, spoke about the need to continue building new schools which strongly consider both student health and the environment during the design phase.

"Everyday we are learning new and better ways to provide healthier classrooms which further promote learning in American schools," stated Stan Haas. Haas went on to say, "This new caucus can help make American students learn in a more effective and efficient manner."

The Green Schools Caucus will take information provided at the group’s first event begin working on legislation to further promote safer schools.