Senator John Cornyn

“Family" focuses on the important role that families and a good education play in enabling Texas children to realize their potential.

Concern for the young and vulnerable, and support for the traditional American family, have been hallmarks of Senator Cornyn’s public service. He has always sought to protect life. As Texas Attorney General, among other accomplishments, he revamped the state child support enforcement system, leading to dramatic increases in efficiency and additional resources for children and their education.

While in the U.S. Senate, Senator Cornyn has been a strong supporter of education on all levels. For example, he has pushed to expand workforce training partnerships with community colleges. With a Senate colleague, Senator Jim DeMint, Cornyn also authored the A-Plus Act to renew and improve accountability provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. The bill would ensure that vital K-12 education decisions remain the responsibility of parents, state and local officials—and not federal bureaucrats. Senator Cornyn’s efforts are based on his conviction that every child deserves an equal place at the starting line, and a sound education is an important way to ensure just that.

The ad is largely set along the Pedernales River near historic Johnson City, in the Central Texas Hill Country. It also features original photographs taken by Austin photographer Don Rogers as well as footage from Brownsville’s famous Charro Days parade.

“Family” Script:

Sen. Cornyn’s Strong Record on Education

• Sen. Cornyn introduced key legislation in March 2007 to reform No Child Left Behind—The A-PLUS Act (Academic Partnership Lead us to Success Act of 2007). This bill ensures that K-12 education decisions are made in Texas by parents and teachers, not by bureaucrats in Washington. The A-PLUS Act reduces regulatory burdens associated with federal education programs so educators can focus on teaching rather than filling out paperwork. It also ensures that states are accountable to schools and parents for advancing the academic achievement of all students.
• Sen. Cornyn cosponsored the America COMPETES Act, which was signed into law in August 2007. This law authorizes more than $30 billion to invest in science, technology, engineering and math research and education programs. It focuses on three primary areas of importance to maintaining and improving our nation’s innovation in the 21st Century: increasing research investment; strengthening educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from elementary through graduate school; and developing an innovation infrastructure.
• Sen. Cornyn supported the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, signed into law in September 2007, which will raise the maximum Pell Grant from $4,310 to $5,400 by 2012 and reduce interest rates on certain federal student loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent. The bill also allows active-duty military to defer payments on their loans, and those returning to civilian life, will have at least a year-long deferment period.
• Sen. Cornyn cosponsored the Graduation Really Achieves Dreams (GRAD) Act to improve high school graduation a nd college attendance and completion rates for at-risk students; increase family and community involvement; and provide scholarships and assistance in applying for financial aid. This legislation was included in the Higher Education Reauthorization Act which was signed into law in August 2008.
• Sen. Cornyn cosponsored the Raising Achievements through Improving Supplemental Education (RAISE) Act. The RAISE Act would help school districts better implement supplemental education programs and serve more students. It would also ensure that parents are properly notified about their options when their children’s schools aren’t making the grade.
• Sen. Cornyn has been a strong supporter of the Carol M. White Physical Education Grant Program, which helps school districts to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity by providing funds for equipment, support and the training and education of teachers and staff.
• Sen. Cornyn cosponsored the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2005 to increase funding for technology at Hispanic Serving Institutions and Historically Black College and Universities. This legislation was included in the Higher Education Reauthorization Act which was signed into law in August 2008.
• Sen. Cornyn cosponsored the Next Generation Hispanic Serving Institutions Act, which reauthorizes the Hispanic Serving Institution’s (HSI) program. Senator Cornyn worked with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the Senate HELP Committee to eliminate the 2-year wait-out period for HSIs applying for Title V grants.
• Senator Cornyn convened community colleges from across the state in Austin to highlight federal grants available to community colleges for expanding workforce training programs. He has also promoted this important initiative throughout the state, which assists Texans in getting higher paying jobs.

Photography by Don Rogers Photography