. >> chairman debbire stabenow, committee members to my fellow distinguished panelists, i am honored to have the opportunity to speak your -- before you befe 4 million members with more than 24,000 local units, pta exists in all 50 states, the district of columbia, pr, the u.s. virgin islands, and department of defense schools in europe. i currently serve as president of the national pta, and elected volunteer position i assumed june of last year. in addition with my involvement in national pta and local and state and local pta is in several states. i am currently employed as a senior operations analysts had georgia and am a retired lieutenant colonel. most importantly, i have over two decades of experience as a father, my two wonderful children. pta was founded in 1897 and is the oldest and largest volunteer charlie advocacy association and the united states. the legacy of influencing policy to protect education, health, and overall well-being of children has made an indelible impact in the lives of millions of children and their families. his legacy includes the creation of kinderg