[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 6, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO CATHY PRIEST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Ney] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, just tonight I was talking to Rich Riley. He 
works for the Attorney General in Cleveland, OH. He has been a 
successful young man, and we were talking about his position. I was 
commending Rich on how well he has done service to the people of the 
State of Ohio. His comment, Mr. Speaker, was that he owes it, his 
success, to his teachers. That is what I am here about tonight. This 
week we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week.
  As a teacher by degree, I know firsthand the work and dedication it 
takes to be an educator. That is why I would like to take a few minutes 
to commend one of the many great teachers in Ohio's 18th Congressional 
District.
  Cathy Priest is in her 11th year at Coshocton High School in 
Coshocton, Ohio. Last year Cathy was named Ohio Teacher of the Year and 
Ohio University Educator of the Year.
  As her representative in Congress, I would like to personally thank 
Cathy Priest for her wonderful accomplishments and service to her 
community and to her students.
  Cathy teaches world history, American history, sociology, current 
events, and was student council advisor for 9 years.
  In 1992, she began an ongoing video library project as a member of 
the technology committee for Coshocton High School. She is also a 
member of the video classroom resource team for the Discovery Channel 
and the Learning Channel. In the capacity of consultant and workshop 
facilitator, she provides professional development in the use of 
television to enhance curriculum, media literacy education, and on-line 
training.
  Cathy has worked with media specialist Sandra Marvin to develop an 
extensive video library featuring cable in the classroom programming to 
meet curricular needs for grades K through 12. She also conducts staff 
development workshops designed to enhance the curriculum by using 
television as an instructional tool while also incorporating media 
literacy education.
  Mrs. Priest received her BA in English and history from West Liberty 
State College in West Virginia, her Masters in social science from Ohio 
University, and is a graduate of the Harvard Institute of Media 
Education and the International Space Program. She also did 
postgraduate work at the University of Alabama and Ashland University.
  Over the years, Cathy Priest has made a real difference in her 
community. She is a model teacher who inspires her students through 
dedication and hard work. In 1992, three of Mrs. Priest's students won 
a national academic contest sponsored by the Discovery Channel. As 
grand prize winners, she and her students traveled to Tanzania for an 
extended safari. In large part because of her hard work and belief in 
her students, they were able to take part in a truly exciting, life-
changing experience.
  Mrs. Priest is currently involved as a mentor for the Coshocton Youth 
Foundation. This first-of-its-kind organization is philanthropy by, 
with and for young people.
  Recently Cathy has been chosen to represent the State of Ohio in the 
People's Republic of China for the U.S. China Conference on Education. 
This conference has been set up for educators to learn about one 
another's cultures, customs and country, as well as to forge 
educational partnerships for the 21st century. During the conference, 
Mrs. Priest will present a paper titled ``Technological Literacy, an 
Educational Goal.''
  There is nothing more important, Mr. Speaker, to the future of our 
country than the opportunity for a high quality education for all 
Americans. I commend teachers all over the country who have chosen the 
important task of educating tomorrow's leaders. In order to build on 
and improve our education system, we need to emphasize what works; 
namely, back-to-basics education, parental involvement, safe and 
disciplined schools, and sending dollars to the classroom. If we work 
together as lawmakers, teachers and parents, I believe all of our 
children can reach the limits of their talents to exceed their 
ambitions and to progress beyond the dreams of their parents.
  With a strong educational foundation and teachers like Cathy Priest, 
there is nothing our children can not do. For that, we will be forever 
indebted to our Nation's teachers.

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