{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/secretary-of-education-mcmahon-visits-oregon-s-second-congressional-district", "Secretary of Education McMahon Visits Oregon\u2019s Second Congressional District", "2026-04-20", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Cliff Bentz", "B000668", "bentz.house.gov", "bentz", "https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "CROOK COUNTY, OR \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Cliff Bentz\u2019s Oregon office staff facilitated the visit of U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to Oregon\u2019s Second Congressional District as part of her 50 State \u201cReturning Education to the States\u201d tour, with stops at Crook County High School and Crooked River Elementary School in Prineville.\n\nWhile Congressman Bentz was unable to attend due to the U.S. House of Representatives being in session, his team coordinated the Secretary\u2019s visit providing her with a firsthand look at how the Crook County School District in rural Oregon is delivering strong educational outcomes and expanding opportunity for students across the region.\n\nWorking with Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford, the Bentz team arranged for Secretary McMahon to engage directly with students, teachers, and administrators, so that she could hear firsthand about the programs, challenges, and successes shaping education in Central Oregon.\n\n\u201cSchools are the foundation of our communities, essential to the economic and social survival of the rural parts of our state,\u201d said Congressman Bentz. \u201cVisits like this provide agencies such as the Department of Education in Washington D.C. with invaluable insight into what is happening in our schools and where improvements are needed. Hearing directly from those on the ground helps better inform national policy decisions and improves opportunities for the success of students in Oregon and across our nation.\u201d\n\nSecretary McMahon toured the Crook County District\u2019s Career and Technical Education facilities, which house business, construction, and health programs. These hands-on learning environments give students real-world experience in project management, design, and skilled trades, with opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications and build the leadership skills essential for career success. The district also highlighted its expansive Advanced Placement and dual-credit offerings, including a pathway which allows students to earn an Associate\u2019s Degree upon high school graduation.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s not every day you find yourself coordinating a school visit alongside the Secret Service,\u201d said Superintendent Dr. Joel Hoff. \u201cWe were honored to host Secretary McMahon in our schools. Regardless of which side of the political aisle you are on, we believe in the importance of meaningful dialogue, building bridges, and showcasing the incredible opportunities available to Crook County students.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are deeply committed to providing the highest quality educational experience for every Crook County student,\u201d said Director of School Improvement Dr. Bri Van Roekel. \u201cIt was an honor to welcome Secretary McMahon and share the work happening in our classrooms, while also learning from the broader conversation about education.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt was an honor working with Congressman Bentz to help bring Secretary McMahon to Crook County,\u201d said Commissioner Seth Crawford. \u201cOur schools play a critical role in preparing the next generation of Crook County residents for high-paying, in-demand careers, and it\u2019s important to keep our focus on that work.\u201d\n\nThe visit also included a stop at Crooked River Elementary, where discussions centered on early literacy and building strong foundational skills that support long term academic success. Throughout the day, conversations focused on continuous improvement, celebrating district successes, and identifying opportunities to further strengthen outcomes for all students.\n\nThe Secretary\u2019s visit gave Crook County School District the opportunity to showcase the importance of collaboration between federal, state, and local leaders which helps students, empowers educators, and improves the future of education across Oregon.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:19:40Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/secretary-of-education-mcmahon-visits-oregon-s-second-congressional-district"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.4059361312538385, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}