III 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 247 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 1, 2011 Mrs. Hagan submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Recognizing the accomplishments and efforts of John I. Wilson, executive director of the National Education Association, for dedicating his career to education professionals and students, and honoring his retirement.

Whereas John I. Wilson is a native of Burlington, North Carolina; Whereas John I. Wilson began his career as an activist for the National Education Association while attending Western Carolina University as the president of the National Education Association student chapter; Whereas John I. Wilson taught special needs students as a middle school teacher; Whereas John I. Wilson served as the executive director of the North Carolina Association of Educators; Whereas John I. Wilson developed a new support system for teachers pursuing certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in North Carolina, and as a result, North Carolina has more National Board-certified teachers and candidates than any other State; Whereas John I. Wilson led a successful campaign that increased the average salary of teachers in North Carolina, as compared to other States, from 43rd to 23rd in the United States; Whereas, after serving on numerous boards throughout his career, John I. Wilson became the executive director of the National Education Association, the largest union in the United States, in 2000; Whereas John I. Wilson is an advocate of a minimum salary of $40,000 for every teacher and a living wage for education support professionals; Whereas John I. Wilson launched a National Education Association initiative to engage the best teachers in sharing ideas on staffing high-poverty, underachieving schools with the most accomplished teachers; and Whereas John I. Wilson was presented with the Educator 500 President’s Award in 2006: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)commends John I. Wilson for his leadership and service to educators across North Carolina and the United States; (2)recognizes John I. Wilson as a successful leader who has served the United States by improving our education system; (3)commends John I. Wilson for his numerous accomplishments; (4)congratulates John I. Wilson on his retirement; and (5)supports the continued effort of education leaders to aid and improve the education system of the United States.