[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 6, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN APPRECIATION OF OUR TEACHERS

  (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, as we recognize National Teachers 
Appreciation Week, I want to thank one of the teachers who helped 
instill in me a hard work ethic and desire to be the best I could be. 
My seventh grade teacher, Mrs. Annie Yoder, made a real difference in 
my life, and I owe part of my success to her. Mrs. Yoder, thank you so 
much for all you did for me and for the many other students that you 
diligently taught.
  Education is vitally important to the well-being of our country, and 
during my visits to classrooms in the 10th District it has become 
increasingly clear to me teachers are among the most important keys to 
the success of our educational system. Teachers help lessons come alive 
and cultivate within all of us the love of knowledge. If knowledge is 
power, then teachers are the purveyors of this power. For this, we owe 
them not only our gratitude but respect and support as well.
  If we want to truly respect and support our Nation's teachers, we 
must take educational control away from Washington and place it back 
with teachers and parents and local officials. To all the Mrs. Annie 
Yoders who have helped make us a better and brighter future, thank you, 
and I hope we can honor their hard work and dedication by not hindering 
what they do best, educating America.

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