[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E851-E852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING TEACHERS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE RONALD W. POPLAU

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 1999

  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituents to 
honor Ronald W. Poplau, a sociology teacher at Shawnee Mission 
Northwest High School in Shawnee, KS, and one of only five teachers in 
the nation to be inducted this year into the National Teachers Hall of 
Fame.
  Students and administrators who have worked with Ron Poplau have 
known for many years that he is one of the finest the field of 
professional education has to offer. For over 35 years, Ron Poplau has 
dedicated himself to giving students the tools they need not only to 
find their way in civil society, but to thrive.
  Like many Americans, Ron Poplau has drawn inspiration from his 
family. Ron's father

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immigrated from Germany at the turn of the century, and because of 
prejudice and fear, was not able to receive a proper education. When 
Ron became a teacher, it was the fulfillment of his father's dreams to 
free himself and others from illiteracy.
  Throughout his career, Ron Poplau has received many honors and awards 
for his work in the classroom. Most recently he has received the 
Wooster College Excellence in Teaching Award, the U.S. Army Outstanding 
Citizen Award, the Greg Parker Faculty Award, and has been twice 
recognized as the U.S.D. 512 Employee of the Year. But Ron Poplau's 
legacy goes far beyond his classroom.
  Most importantly, Ron Poplau has helped thousands of students foster 
a lifelong commitment to community service. His Cougars Community 
Commitment program puts hundreds of students into the community every 
day to assist the poor, needy, and elderly. It has become a model for 
other school districts and been honored by local, state, and national 
awards.
  Perhaps the definitive statement above Ron Poplau was offered by his 
colleague Beth Jantsch when she said, ``What Ron has done by the 
creation of this program is to leave a legacy of community care and 
involvement for generation to come . . . I can only believe that this 
will be a better world because of the lives that have been touched and 
by those that will carry on the torch of caring and community 
involvement . . . he is our shining light.''
  On behalf of the people of the Third District of Kansas, I want to 
thank Ron Poplau for caring so much for the development of our nation's 
children, and for helping to strengthen our community by encouraging 
young people to extend their hand in friendship and service.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Ronald W. Poplau of 
Shawnee Mission Northwest High School on his induction into the 
National Teachers Hall of Fame.

                          ____________________