[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H2577-H2584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE IN SUPPORT OF AMERICA'S TEACHERS

  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 157) expressing the

[[Page H2578]]

sense of the House of Representatives in support of America's teachers.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 157

       Whereas the foundation of American freedom and democracy is 
     a strong, effective system of education in which every child 
     can learn in a safe and nurturing environment;
       Whereas a first-rate education system depends on a 
     partnership between parents, principals, teachers, and 
     children;
       Whereas much of the success of our Nation during the 
     American Century is the result of the hard work and 
     dedication of teachers across the land;
       Whereas, in addition to their families, knowledgeable and 
     skillful teachers can have a profound impact on a child's 
     early development and future success;
       Whereas, while many people spend their lives building 
     careers, teachers spend their careers building lives;
       Whereas our Nation's teachers serve our children beyond the 
     call of duty as coaches, mentors, and advisors without regard 
     to fame or fortune; and
       Whereas across this land nearly 3 million men and women 
     experience the joys of teaching young minds the virtues of 
     reading, writing, and arithmetic: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors and recognizes the unique and important 
     achievements of America's teachers; and
       (2) urges all Americans to take a moment to thank and pay 
     tribute to our Nation's teachers.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Isakson) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson).
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is only appropriate that today on the floor of this 
House the Congress of the United States of America recognize and 
acknowledge the teachers of our country. Today, over 3 million American 
men and women are teaching our children, our next generation, our 
Nation's greatest resource.
  Were I to stand anywhere in this Chamber and pose one question to 
every Member, I would get exactly the same response. Were I to ask any 
Member, think for a second and tell me if there was ever a teacher that 
made a difference in their life, instantly, without question, every 
individual would think of a teacher or teachers and would respond 
further with a story about how that person had impacted their life.
  So, too, is it true with almost every adult in America today. Save 
only our parents, teachers are the most important people in the lives 
of our children. While we are doing the right thing to pause today and 
pay tribute to America's teachers, we must remember every week and 
every day to give thanks and give support for the contribution that 
they make.
  Were I to be asked if a teacher had made a difference in my life, I 
would think back to Alice Gibson in Atlanta, Georgia, a teacher who 
made a student of me. She was a disciplinarian, a demanding lady, a 
lover of literature. For me, before having Ms. Gibson, learning was 
work and books belonged on shelves. After attending her class, barely 
making it the first time and excelling the second, everything that is 
open to me today is because of the windows of the world that she opened 
in teaching that appreciation.
  In my home district in Cobb County, there is a teacher by the name of 
Linda Morrison, a social studies teacher in North Cobb High School in 
Cobb County, who year in and year out her teams win Model U.N. and win 
debates. Every year political candidates come to her class and they are 
overwhelmed by the inspiration and motivation that Linda Morrison 
places in all those children.
  I did that trip 3 months ago, shortly before my special election. 
Linda turned the classroom over to me; and I was once again impressed 
by the respect, the courtesy, and the insight of those kids. When I 
left the class, once again awed, the principal put his arm around me 
and told me that Ms. Morrison had just finished her first chemo 
treatment but had come to class to see to it that her students were 
fulfilled and her class went on.

                              {time}  1600

  That is the kind of dedication, that is the kind of commitment we see 
not just in one but in many of our teachers all over America.
  And lastly, it is only fitting that I recognize Andy Baumgartner, 
this year the United States of America's Teacher of the Year, as 
honored just 2 weeks ago in Washington D.C.; a kindergarten teacher 
outside of Augusta, Georgia who dedicates his life to putting 
excitement into education for every child. He recognizes that, at the 
age of five, he has one opportunity to help the life of an individual 
in the most formative year of their education.
  Mr. Speaker, it is only appropriate that this House today commend our 
teachers all over this country, recognize them for the contribution 
they make, and appreciate the fact that today in every American 
classroom they are under the watchful eye of a teacher, an individual 
who is willing to share with them.
  And, Mr. Speaker, I think all of us remember or might ask, had it not 
been for teachers or a teacher, where might any of us have been today?
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 157, which recognizes the 
unique and important achievements of America's teachers and urges all 
Americans to pay tribute to our Nation's teachers.
  As the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) just said, most of us can 
point to a teacher in our lives that has made a difference. Were it not 
for the benefit of several outstanding teachers, I might not be where I 
am today.
  I remember one particular teacher that really turned me around in the 
sixth grade. And I was busy doing things I should not have been doing, 
drawing pictures instead of doing the class lesson. And she snuck up 
behind me and caught my attention with the ruler that she carried, 
which was about 18 inches long and about 1\1/2\ inches wide, and it 
came down across my hands with a real sting. And I jumped up and raised 
back my hand, and she immediately struck me in the face with the ruler, 
not hard, just enough to make a sting and get my attention. And she got 
my attention. And then she instructed me to sit down and wait until the 
bell rang and I would stay after school, and I did.
  But that was the most prosperous couple hours I had ever spent in 
school in my life, because in that 2 hours she taught me everything 
there was to learn about the lesson I was supposed to be learning. And 
I noticed something about it. When I started realizing that I could do 
the work and I was getting the answers right, I looked up and I saw her 
smiling at me from ear to ear. No one in the class had ever seen her 
smile before. And I thought, this is really a very nice teacher.
  But more important was what she taught me that day. Well, from that 
day on I never had a problem with those lessons again and I decided 
that I can learn. But I think that was what she was saying to us.
  I remember one time Terrel Bell, the Secretary of Education under 
Reagan, when he said to us one time at a hearing, there is nothing so 
rewarding to a teacher as when they look into that young person's eyes 
and see that light go on, that they learned that they can learn. Well, 
Mrs. Cassons saw that light go on in my eyes and she made me realize 
that a good teacher can make the difference between success and failure 
for a student.
  Recent studies show that teacher quality is the most single important 
factor in student achievement. In recent hearings that we have held in 
the committee of the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) we have had 
testimony, and when they were asked what was the most important thing 
in the education of young people, each of them answered the quality 
teacher.
  However, if we look at today's teachers, they face greater challenges 
than ever before, greater challenges than my teacher, Mrs. Cassons, 
ever saw. Classes are larger and they are more unmanageable. Classroom 
spaces are now inadequate and they are in poor condition and often pose 
a safety hazard.
  Discipline problems and school violence are at an all-time high, as 
we recently saw in Colorado. On top of all this, teacher candidates 
often do not receive adequate training, new teachers are not supported 
by their school system, and experienced teachers are not provided with 
meaningful professional development they need to remain effective.

[[Page H2579]]

  Under these circumstances, even Mrs. Cassons would have had problems. 
Therefore, I think it is high time we provide our Nation's teachers 
with some greatly needed assistance.
  Although most decisions regarding teacher recruitment, training, and 
professional development are made at the State and local level, as they 
should be, Congress has before it the wonderful opportunity to provide 
our Nation's teachers with the tools and support they need to educate 
the next generation of American citizens.
  I feel very lucky to be the ranking member on the subcommittee which 
has jurisdiction over such a wonderful opportunity. And I am pleased to 
say that the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) and I are currently 
working on legislation which provides incentives to States and 
districts to get high-quality individuals into the classroom and keep 
them there.
  I know that the chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon), 
and many of my colleagues share my desire to help those special 
individuals who dedicate their lives to bettering the lives of others. 
I look forward to working with everyone in Congress to ensure that 
every child has a Mrs. Cassons.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Goodling), distinguished chairman of 
the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  I rise in support of the resolution to honor and recognize the unique 
and important achievements of America's teachers. As one who spent many 
years of his professional life in schools, and also as a Member whose 
wife continues to teach, I know firsthand the dedication and commitment 
teachers put forth every single day despite the ever-growing challenges 
that they face, which are almost insurmountable.
  As the gentleman from Georgia mentioned, we can all remember a 
teacher or teachers. And, of course, I go back to my first 4 years in a 
one-room school where Ms. Yost was the teacher. She had 40 students, 4 
different grades represented. She had no special teachers. She did it 
all. She stoked the stove. She carried out the ashes. She did 
everything. And she was a magnificent teacher.
  It does not matter how many they have in the classroom if they do not 
have a quality teacher in that classroom.
  One of the problems that teachers are often faced with today is the 
fact that many times they do not receive the kind of preparation and 
training that they should from the teacher training institutions. 
Sometimes they get assigned subject areas that they have very little 
knowledge about that particular subject, and oftentimes they are not 
given quality in-service programs.
  So we, as Congress, working along with States, schools and parents, 
must continue to address the problems that face our Nation's teachers.
  Specifically, we must continue to take a close lock at existing 
Federal education programs to determine if, in fact, they are meeting 
the needs of our teachers as well as the students they are intended to 
serve. If not, working together with State and local schools and 
parents, we must develop new ways to ensure these funds are being used 
effectively.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I simply want to say to our teachers one 
great big ``thank you.''
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer).
  (Mr. ROEMER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from California for 
yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would start off by pointing out that the purpose of 
this resolution, Mr. Speaker, is twofold; and I would start with the 
second one, which urges all Americans to take a moment to thank and pay 
tribute to our Nation's teachers.
  As a former teacher, Mr. Speaker, and as a product of both Catholic 
private education and public education, I rise to thank the many 
teachers that contributed to my education, that contribute to the 
children's education throughout Indiana, and contribute to all our 
Nation's children throughout all the schools in the United States of 
America.
  There is not a single more important profession or calling on the 
face of the Earth than to get into a school classroom with 30, 25, or 
30 or 35 children and to take on the challenges of teaching those 
children every day in our Nation's classrooms.
  And I agree that we all, as parents, must participate in what this 
resolution calls for, and that is all of us getting out there on a 
daily basis, not just on a yearly basis, and having contact with the 
school and thanking the teacher and participating in reading programs 
with our classrooms and engaging that school.
  I saw a figure last week that said about 30 percent of our parents 
have contact with the school, yet every single one of us has contact 
with the graduates of that school system. So we need to engage our 
schools and do even more than thank our teachers but participate in our 
children's education.
  The first part of this resolution honors and recognizes the unique 
and important achievements of America's teachers. And certainly we 
recognize their integrity, we recognize their intelligence, we 
recognize their contributions every day to our children.
  And more so, as I conclude, Mr. Speaker, on a note that more and more 
teachers are stepping forward on, it is not only to ensure that our 
schools get better but that our schools are safe. And in Jonesboro, 
Arkansas and in Littleton, Colorado we have school safety issues where 
teachers not only gave their intelligence, their talents, and their 
integrity; they gave their lives. They put their lives on the line and 
they lost them on school safety issues to protect other children.
  So this resolution I think is timely, Mr. Speaker, in that not only 
should we thank our teachers, not only should we engage our education 
system and participate as community leaders and as parents, but we 
should also recognize the unlimited contributions that these teachers 
make to our children in terms of their intelligence, in terms of their 
safety, and in terms of their long-standing contributions in society.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for Teacher Appreciation Week; 
and I urge Americans everywhere to take a moment to pay tribute to our 
Nation's teachers.
  A sound democracy rests on a first-rate education system, one where 
parents and teachers work together. A solid education in any of our 
Nation's schools comes from the teachers who strive to give the gift of 
knowledge to the minds of our future generations.
  Dedicated teachers work day after day to ensure that all of our 
students will have a bright and successful life. Teachers wear many 
hats: as counselor, friend, and, most importantly, role model. Today 
learning not only consists of the three R's but skills that parents no 
longer have time to teach.
  Accordingly, I urge all of our colleagues to support this resolution 
honoring American teachers. I thank our colleagues, the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Granger) the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), 
and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) for sponsoring this 
legislation.
  It is my hope that Congressional support for teachers will serve as 
an example to all Americans that the service that teachers render is 
irreplaceable.
  This week is the 14th Annual Teacher Appreciation Week which was 
created by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The PTA is an 
organization that encourages parent and public involvement in all of 
the Nation's public schools. By strengthening the tie between both 
parents and the nearly 3 million American school teachers we can only 
further ensure that American education continues to be second to none. 
Teachers have an immeasurable impact on the growth and development of 
students and are responsible, in part, to the shaping of a future 
generation. Because of this, teachers are indispensable.
  The face on the American family is vastly different from the way it 
was only decades

[[Page H2580]]

ago. My wife is a former teacher and when she was in school the sole 
job of a teacher was to impart knowledge. However, today teachers fill 
the void that hard working parents and single parents cannot.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy).
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the House resolution paying 
tribute to our Nation's teachers.
  Since I have come to this House 2\1/2\ years ago, I spend so much 
time in my schools and have gotten to know my teachers, gotten to know 
how much they care about our students and how hard they are trying to 
make our students better prepared to go into the world, that makes this 
a better country.
  Education is our number one priority for this country, and it should 
be. But we are seeing a teacher shortage and it is making our teachers' 
jobs harder. We are seeing that we are bringing young people out of 
college to become teachers; that they are failing mainly because they 
do not feel that they are well-prepared. I think that is something that 
we can work on, especially in the special education that we are going 
to be doing in the next several months.
  Our teachers have to be well-prepared so they can do a great job in 
our classes, especially in early education. And I think that it is 
something that our teachers want, because they want to be the best they 
can.
  We have to do everything in the world to prepare our young people to 
become teachers so that we again will have the amount of teachers that 
we are going to need. We are seeing too many of our teachers drop out, 
and that is not good for any of us, mainly because they felt that they 
were not prepared.
  We dealt with it last year on the Higher Education Act on having 
teachers better prepared, and I think it is something that we can do on 
early education. I plan on introducing a bill to have a mentoring 
program on early education, and I hope I will have the support of my 
committee.
  When we talk about the teachers in the classroom today versus the 
teachers that certainly taught us years ago, it was an easier time back 
then. We had so much more cooperation between the parents and the 
teachers, and we have to encourage that more and more.
  Our teachers are supposed to be there, to be teaching. They need the 
support of the parents, and I think that is important. We are seeing 
our teachers today taking in our young people and trying to be parents 
to them when they can. That is not their job.

                              {time}  1615

  Their job is there to teach our children. But if we do not encourage 
our parents to become more involved in our schools, we are making our 
jobs harder for our teachers.
  Look at some of the schools that do so well. It is not that the kids 
are brighter. It is because their parents are so involved in those 
particular schools. They are giving the encouragement for the teachers 
to go that extra yard. We have to make all our schools like that. That 
is how we are going to turn around education in this country.
  Our children are bright, our teachers are good, but we have to work 
together to make sure that we are the best, better than anywhere else 
in this country. I think we are on the right track.
  We still have some work to do, but certainly the love of teaching, 
someone that I had in sixth grade, Mrs. Englman, she taught me the love 
of history. I think if she ever saw me here today, she would be so 
proud of me because she talked about the Constitution, she talked about 
our government, and here I am being very proud of being a graduate of 
her class but also living what she taught me.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the House Resolution paying 
tribute to our nation's teachers. This resolution expresses a sense of 
the House, thanking and paying tribute to our nation's teachers. 
Education is my number one priority. Providing our children with a good 
education and a bright future is one of our most effective tools for 
ending gun violence, drug abuse, and poverty in our country.
  I spend every Monday and Friday in my schools on Long Island, talking 
with students, teachers, principals, superintendents, and parents about 
how we can make the education system work better.
  In visiting these schools, I see teachers and students who are 
committed to education. And I have learned that our teachers are the 
cornerstone of our education system. Brand new classrooms, reduced 
class size and improved access to technology are empty promises without 
a dedicated, well-qualified teacher in front of the class.
  Unfortunatley, we are facing a shortage of teachers. Our nation will 
need to hire 2 million new teachers in the next decade to handle a 
growing student population and to replace retiring teachers. However, 
fewer young people are going into teaching, and when they do, many do 
not receive the learning they need to succeed in the classroom. Many 
children are warehoused in bigger classes, often with unprepared 
instructors, because there simply are not enough teachers to go around.
  Last year, Congress passed my teacher training bill as part of the 
Higher Education Act. My legislation will better prepare teachers for 
teaching our children. I worked with local school administrators and 
educators to draft a bill that will (1) recruit new teachers; (2) 
prepare future teachers for the rigors of the classroom; and (3) mentor 
new teachers in their first year on the job.
  Today, I am proud to introduce legislation that will expand Teacher 
Mentoring programs in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This 
legislation will complement the mentoring programs I sponsored in the 
Higher Education Act, ensuring that mentoring becomes a continuous, 
comprehensive program, addressing the needs of experienced teachers as 
well as new teachers.
  Mentoring programs help all teachers--they benefit new teachers by 
easing the transition into teaching, increasing retention rates and 
improving the quality of teaching. Mentoring also helps experienced 
teachers by exposing them to new ideas and current trends in teaching.
  The key to improving the quality of education is our teachers. 
Reducing class size is not going to be effective unless you have a 
qualified teacher in that class. We must do everything we can to make 
sure our teachers are well-trained before they enter the classroom. And 
that they continue to improve their skills once they are in the 
classroom.
  I will be working hard to pass my mentoring bill which will give 
teachers the tools they need to be the best possible educators they 
can. Our children, and our teachers, are worth it--and deserve it.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McKeon), distinguished member of the Committee on 
Education and the Workforce.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important 
resolution and in recognition of the hard work of our Nation's 
teachers.
  As a former member of the local school board and President of that 
school district for 9 years, as a father of six and grandfather of 16, 
I understand the crucial role that teachers play in the lives of our 
children and in our communities. We have for too long taken their role 
for granted and have come to expect our teachers to perform heroic acts 
of teaching despite ever-rising challenges.
  I believe that as a Nation we must no longer take for granted the 
ability for teachers to somehow magically prepare our students. We must 
join together at the national, State and, most importantly, at the 
local level in working together to address these challenges facing our 
teachers, our schools and our students.
  At the national level, we must ensure that Federal education programs 
are flexible enough to allow local schools to make decisions which meet 
their specific needs. At the same time, we must ensure that these funds 
are used effectively and that they are used for activities that 
demonstrate increased academic achievement for all students.
  I am pleased to say that as chair of the Subcommittee on 
Postsecondary Education, Training and Life-Long Learning, I am working 
with Members to craft a bipartisan bill which will address some of 
these important issues. I am especially pleased to be working with the 
ranking member of the subcommittee, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Martinez), who has deep insight into this important area.
  I would like to take just a moment, along with this resolution, to 
thank teachers who have had an impact on me personally. I have four 
younger brothers. We went to school in the Los Angeles unified school 
system. All five of us had Mrs. Peters for kindergarten.

[[Page H2581]]

  I can think back to teachers at all levels, high school, junior high, 
elementary school, university, that have had an impact on my life. I do 
not know that I ever took the time to thank them, I know I did not 
thank them adequately, for the job that they have done. There is 
probably not a day that goes by that I do not think of some lesson that 
I learned from some teacher. Probably outside of my parents, teachers 
have had more impact on my life than anyone else.
  I go visit schools whenever I am home in the district. I like to go 
in a classroom, probably for a selfish reason, because I always feel 
good when I leave, after seeing an enthusiastic, motivated teacher that 
is devoting and dedicating their life to helping our young people to 
make this a better world.
  Our district at home, each year the members of the community have a 
night where they honor teachers. I was not able to be there this week, 
but I would like to thank them for taking the time to honor our 
teachers, because I do think that that is very important. I tell 
teachers when I visit that you can count the number of seeds in an 
apple, but you cannot count the number of apples in a seed. One little 
seed can grow into a giant apple tree that grows apples for many, many 
years and has great impact. That is what our teachers mean to us.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for 
his leadership and for yielding me this time.
  What a special time to come on the floor of the House to honor those 
champions, those heroes who really are the basis of making our country 
great. This is a salute to teachers, and it means all teachers in all 
capacities but particularly those who educate our children.
  I come personally and as the parent of two children recognizing the 
importance that teachers have in the lives of children. I also work and 
chair the Congressional Children's Caucus. Members who have joined that 
Caucus have committed themselves to promoting children as a national 
agenda. Where would we be without that strong and abiding force of 
those who believe in education, particularly those who treat young 
children with the kind of respect and the kind of belief in themselves 
that many of our teachers have and do with respect to our children?
  I spend a lot of time in my schools, in particular our public 
schools, our elementary, our middle school and our secondary. I work a 
lot with our private schools. I know that each and every time I come 
upon a teacher it is someone who has expressed a love and affection for 
children, someone who cares for children, someone who wants to see 
children thriving and growing.
  In the light of the events that have happened over the past couple of 
years, when teachers have been highlighted and spotlighted, 
unfortunately not for good but for the tragedy of maybe being injured, 
what comes to mind is certainly the heroic teacher in the Littleton, 
Colorado, tragedy, the stories that came out from the young people who 
said he put their lives ahead of his.
  How many times we know that that occurs. And maybe not necessarily to 
that degree, where a teacher has lost his or her life, but we realize 
that teachers who believe in what they do most often put the needs of 
their students in front of their personal needs. They extend their 
days, they take them on field trips, they guide and counsel them, they 
help them get into college, they help them get scholarships, they help 
them get into summer programs. So often the teachers who have taught my 
children have come to me and said, I think this program would be good 
for your child or that program, something a parent is not aware of.
  At the same time in the public school setting, I know that teachers 
extend themselves. They are also the hall monitors, the people who 
participate on retreats or the ones who are the guiders of 
extracurricular activities, at the basketball games or football games.
  And so, Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to be able to stand today to pay 
special tribute and applaud this resolution as an appropriate statement 
that this Congress should make and certainly the United States should 
make, that teachers are a vital part of our history, a vital part of 
our society.
  I know, for one, that I am a product of the teachers who educated and 
helped educate me. I know that parents and home and church have a 
viable part in a child's education, but I can assure my colleagues that 
there are many teachers who I took in confidence and who helped me 
along the way, who made me feel better, and also that I had the ability 
to achieve albeit through some rocky times.
  Can I just say to each and every one of them who may be sitting at 
home or in fact have another day's work tomorrow, in preparing a lesson 
plan or dealing with a student, that we do appreciate you, we salute 
and honor you. You are American heroes. We hope that this Congress will 
continue to stand behind you as you educate and provide and secure our 
children's lives.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to 
distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger), the original 
sponsor of this resolution.
  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, as a former teacher myself and as the 
daughter of two teachers it is my great privilege to cosponsor this 
important resolution, and it is my great pleasure to speak out on its 
behalf. Someone has said that teaching is not a lost art, but regard 
for it is a lost tradition.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise the guardians of America's 
future, and those are our teachers. The issue of education generally 
and teachers specifically is as important as it is timely.
  I approach this issue from a simple philosophy. Education is a 
Federal concern, a State responsibility and a local function. Education 
is a team sport, and it requires all of us to do our part.
  As a Member of Congress, I believe one of the most important steps we 
can take to support the schools of our Nation is to encourage the 
teachers of our schools. I have always believed that teachers are a 
very special breed. While most people spend their lives building 
careers, most teachers spend their careers building lives. That is why 
it is so important that we take the time to honor our teachers as 
indeed they should be honored.
  Moreover, we need to be encouraging the very best and brightest to 
join the teaching profession. We can all agree that teachers do not 
earn the kind of money they should, but the rewards of teaching cannot 
be measured in dollars and cents. Teachers see the fruits of their 
labor in lives that have changed.
  So today we want to express the sense of the United States Congress 
that our teachers are an essential part of America's greatness. I know 
every one of us can point to a teacher in our past who helped to shape 
us, make us who we are. Though years ago we may have left their 
classes, their classes have never left us. From the teachers of the 
past we learned the traits we use today, how to type and how to 
calculate but how to read and how to write and how to think. These are 
lessons that have served us all well, and we will all do well to thank 
those who taught them to us.
  That is exactly what this resolution does. As we end this century, 
let us begin a renewed commitment. In the debate over the future of 
education, there are a few things we can all agree on. Let us commit 
ourselves to having schools that are safe and curriculum that is sound. 
Let us commit ourselves to having our children learn to read today so 
they can read to learn throughout their lives. And let us commit 
ourselves to having teachers who know the subject they are teaching and 
the name of the child they are teaching it to.
  Mr. Speaker, too often in Washington we talk in terms of politics, 
but this issue is different. Education is not a matter of right versus 
left. It is a matter of right versus wrong. It is always the right time 
to do the right thing. Let us pass this teacher appreciation 
resolution. Let us begin to renew our schools by recognizing our 
teachers. After all, they literally hold our future in their hands.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones).
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of our Nation's 
teachers.

[[Page H2582]]

  I am a graduate of the Cleveland Public School System of Cleveland, 
Ohio. I can remember all the wonderful teachers that were my teachers.
  From kindergarten, I can remember Ms. Chapman's name, all the way up 
to teachers that I had in junior high and high school. In fact, several 
of my elementary teachers that taught me French were my French teachers 
in high school. So every chance I have an opportunity to talk about how 
great teachers are, I am glad to be able to say that. I need to put 
their names in the Record, Ms. Gilliam and Ms. DiPadova. I speak French 
as a result of the great work of those wonderful women.
  As we pause today to celebrate teachers across our country, I wish 
that every child in these United States could have as memorable a 
moment in their lifetime as me with the teachers that I had in the 
public school system. I can even name some of my college and law school 
teachers that I remember very well.
  Like the prior speaker, I would encourage all of us to assure our 
children that are in school today, be they black or white, urban or 
suburban or rural, that they have teachers who have the opportunity to 
teach.
  Many teachers in our school systems today have to be mother, they 
have to be father, they have to be uncle, grandmother, grandfather, 
psychologist, disciplinarian, nurse, doctor; and they should not have 
to be all of those things. They should be able to teach in an 
environment that is safe. They should be able to teach in a classroom 
where there are 15 students or less. They should be able to have all of 
the accoutrements that go with teaching, the books they need at the 
time they need them, the room should be clean.
  Mr. Speaker, as we rise in support of teachers today, I just want to 
add my kudos to all the teachers that I had. I praise the teachers who 
teach today. May God continue to bless them.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Delaware (Mr. Castle), distinguished member of the committee.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  For years now we have been looking to how to restore civility to the 
House. Now I know all we have to do is introduce a resolution 
supporting our teachers and we find the thing that all of us agree 
upon.
  I in Delaware have had the privilege of being in every single public 
school in my State--do not try that if you are in a big State--and 
almost all the private schools as well. When you spend 1 to 3 hours 
there, you obviously are going to touch in a lot of classrooms and 
watch a lot of teachers teaching.
  There may not be good teachers in our classrooms in Delaware, I 
cannot say for sure there is, but I have not seen one. I have seen 
devoted men and women who are trying to care for their kids, sometimes 
in one-on-one circumstances, other times in larger classroom 
circumstances. These are individuals who are committed to their task at 
hand.
  I am sure it is just as true in every other State in the Nation as it 
is in the State of Delaware. When you choose teaching, you choose a 
profession which is of profound importance to every young person in 
this country and to our society as a whole.

                              {time}  1630

  We have done, I think, remarkably well in the people that we have 
been able to attract to the teaching profession and retain in the 
teaching profession. They truly care about our children. They truly 
make the effort to teach as well as they possibly can.
  Like others here, I, too, have memories. Maybe I was not as good a 
student as some of the others here because not all my memories are as 
good as I would like them to be, but it is actually some of those more 
difficult classes where teachers are more demanding that I have the 
greatest memories now of what they did for me and what they meant to 
all of us.
  A quality education, it is the best gift we can possibly give our 
children, and the teachers are there every step of the way encouraging 
them, helping them, making sure they are on the road to success.
  I am sure that the teaching profession may seem like a thankless job 
at times. We have all heard that expressed, and we have to worry when 
we see what happened in Littleton, Colorado. That affects all teachers. 
But as teachers, the teachers of this country really are shaping the 
future of the country.
  I am fond of saying to a whole room of elected officials and 
corporate heads and everything else, that teachers are the most 
important people in our State, and sometimes people come back and, 
``What about my father? He's a teacher.'' But teachers are 
extraordinarily important, and we should thank them not only today but 
at all times.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of the time to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Coble). The gentleman from Texas is 
recognized for 3\1/2\ minutes.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, today it is my honor to join in saluting 
teachers in communities all across America as students, parents, school 
administrators and the public celebrate the teaching profession. Few 
other professionals touch so many people in such a lasting way as 
teachers do.
  Mr. Speaker, I think each and every one of us can recall that one 
special teacher who inspired us, who guided us and who helped make us 
the person we are today, and I know I can. Teachers open children's 
minds to the magic of ideas, knowledge and dreams. They keep American 
democracy alive by laying the foundation for good citizenship, and they 
fill many roles as listeners, explorers, role models, motivators and 
mentors. Long after our school days are only memories, teachers 
continue to influence us.
  I know that at elementary school Miss Halcomb did exactly that. In 
middle school Audrey Geoff did that for me. In high school math, E.R. 
Broughton; in high school government, Lucille Parrish; in high school 
English, Eddie McNail. From my youth I recall a proverb that has stayed 
with me throughout the years: Better than a thousand days of diligent 
study is one day with a great teacher.
  Today and all throughout the year celebrate teaching. Take the time 
to recognize the lasting contributions that educators make to our 
community and thank those special teachers who have truly made a 
difference in each of our lives.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Tancredo).
  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I was impressed that my colleagues, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) and the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. 
Jones), could remember so many of their teachers, and I was just 
sitting here thinking if I could remember any of my elementary and 
secondary teachers, and I do remember the first names of all of them, 
but I cannot remember much more. The first name was: Sister.
  I rise in support of the House Resolution, pay tribute to the hard 
work of our Nation's teachers. As a former public school teacher, I 
take great pride in my former colleagues and believe that teachers are 
a national treasure. Those are teachers in public schools, private 
schools and, of course, parents who take on that huge responsibility of 
home schooling, and who have provided such wonderful models for their 
children and have done such a wonderful job in teaching their children.
  But I would especially like to take this moment to pay tribute to an 
educator who through his heroism 2 weeks ago inspired us all. His name 
is David Sanders, and he gave his life to save the lives of several 
students at Columbine High School, Littleton, Colorado, my district. 
Dave Sanders was a business teacher and the coach of the girls' 
basketball and softball teams at Columbine, but he was also a friend to 
the hundreds of students at the school who looked at him for guidance 
and support.
  Two weeks ago, during the rampage at Columbine, David Sanders saved a 
number of students from ricocheting bullets and then went upstairs in 
the school to aid other students. While leading two dozen students down 
a hallway to safety, Mr. Speaker, he was shot twice in the chest, and 
3\1/2\ hours later David Sanders passed away, however, not before 
asking nearby students to tell his family that he loved them.
  Later Rick Bath, Columbine softball coach, said about his friend: 
``There

[[Page H2583]]

were just so many good qualities about him, you always knew that he 
would just be there for you. All he ever wanted to do was teach since 
he was 21. He would not have known what else to do.''
  Mr. Speaker, today the community of Littleton, Colorado joins me in 
thanking David Sanders for the sacrifice that he made for his students 
and his fellow teachers during last Tuesday's massacre and for making a 
difference in the lives of children at Columbine and, as a matter of 
fact, all over America.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not have any other speakers, and I am ready to 
yield back the balance of my time. I would just make a concluding 
statement in regard to the Columbine High School incident.
  I read the other day in a paper where there were many instances of 
teachers' heroism. There was one teacher who herded a group of children 
into a room, and then closed the door and set her body in front of the 
door so that if any shots came through, they would hit her, not the 
students. I do not think that we can ever make any commendation high 
enough to reward someone with that kind of heroism.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that teachers across this country by and large 
are the same kind of quality as teachers who are dedicated to their 
children. As many people have said today in honoring the teachers they 
can remember, I, like the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) cannot 
remember a lot of last names, but I can remember a lot of first names, 
and I realize that my success in life was attributable to what they 
taught me.
  So again, I honor the teachers of the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint).
  Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support today of this 
resolution honoring the nearly 3 million teachers across America that 
work every day to secure the future of our children.
  Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit two of Mrs. Becham's classes 
at East Side High School in Greenville, South Carolina. These were two 
hour-and-a-half-long government classes, and these students wore me out 
with questions, and it reminded me of the incredible energy it takes 
every day, day in and day out, for these teachers to open the minds and 
to fill these minds with the knowledge that will help these students be 
successful in life. I thank Mrs. Becham, and I thank her that she 
wanted her students not only to hear about Congress, but she persisted 
until she got the Congressman right there in her room.
  I am thankful myself for teachers because my wife and I have four 
children from junior high through college. I am thankful for all the 
teachers that helped to shape their lives. I am thankful for the 
teachers, so many good ones, that when I was not such a good student 
did so much for me, particularly Mrs. Humphries in the 9th grade, when 
she handed me back one paper with red marks all over it and I expected 
to hear how bad it was, when she said:
  ``Jim, you're a good writer. You've got a lot of good ideas.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ignored the red marks, and I took it to heart that I 
was a good writer, and that is what I made as my profession, and I 
thank Mrs. Humphries.
  Today is a good day to honor all of teachers. We need to treat them 
as the professionals that they are. We have given them almost an 
impossible job to do. We have given them so much of the blame that they 
are not responsible for, and I am thankful today that we are giving 
them a little bit of the credit that they so richly deserve.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, before introducing our final speaker, I ask 
unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to 
revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 157.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts).
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, this week we honor those who assist parents 
and take our children to the next levels of learning, America's 
teachers. Teachers have motivated our children. Teachers have helped 
our children to mature.
  Here is a teacher through the eyes of a second grader, Kacie Hershey 
in my district, and I quote:
  I like Mr. Durante because he is funny and because he teaches us 
math. Now he is teaching us about Japan and how to count to 10 in 
Japanese.
  When teachers like Mr. Durante make learning fun for their students, 
whole new worlds are opened.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not think it can be said any better than the way it 
is stated in this resolution, and I quote again:
  Many people spend their lives building careers. Our teachers spend 
their careers building lives.
  What could be more true? America's teachers rise every day out of 
their commitment to mold and shape young lives. As a former public 
school math and science teacher myself, I can attest to the amount of 
time, and energy, and creativity and patience that it takes to lead our 
students to the next step of discovery, be it in literature, math, 
music theory or physics.
  Earlier today I honored Elaine Suvukas of Hempfield High School for 
leading an excellent group of students in the ``We the People, the 
Citizen, the Constitution'' academic competition on the Constitution 
and the Bill of Rights. Her students know America's Constitution 
probably better than many Members of Congress. She stirs her students 
to excellence. Excellent teachers like Miss Suvukas are all over this 
country using the resources that they have been given to the best of 
their ability for the betterment of our students, and we need to get 
more resources directly to our teachers, dollars into the classroom, 
and then we can truly honor their work.
  Mr. Speaker, that is one very clear way that we can say thanks to our 
public school teachers across the country. After all, these are the 
people who are influencing our children and teaching young minds the 
value of reading, writing and arithmetic.
  Except for parents at home, no adult is closer to the learning 
process of our kids. Teachers are the ones who have the power to affect 
the learning and help them so that they can compete. Let us arm them 
with the tools they need.
  So, as we honor our teachers this week, let us continue the process 
throughout the year. Our children and our children's children are the 
most precious resources that we have, and that is why we must recognize 
their invaluable contributions of spending their entire days with them, 
shaping their lives.
  To our teachers: I thank them. Their work is greatly needed, 
appreciated and admired.
  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude 
to our nation's teachers. Their dedicated service should be 
acknowledged every day, not just during National Teacher Appreciation 
Week.
  As a father, grandfather and former school board member, I have a 
great deal of personal respect for those who educate our youth. I 
believe these individuals know our children better than some Washington 
bureaucrat. We should strive to give them programs that return 
educational decisions to those most qualified to make them, the 
parents, teachers, and local school boards.
  Currently, only 65 percent of federal education funds actually make 
it to classrooms. Too many needed funds are spent on unnecessary and 
inefficient bureaucracies, rather than on local schools. We must make a 
commitment to send more education dollars to schools, libraries, 
teachers, and students. Our children are this nation's most precious 
resource. The future of a child's education is essential to the future 
of our nation.
  Mr. Speaker, again I would like to extend my gratitude to those who 
make teaching our children more than simply a daily job. I will 
continue to support those whom we entrust with our children's future.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our 
nation's teachers. It is with great appreciation that I recognize 
teachers across America who are shaping a brighter future for our 
children.
  Today teachers face many challenges in the classroom, challenges that 
often force them to give more of their time and energy on matters other 
than teaching. Increased classroom sizes, crumbling infrastructure, and 
new social challenges in the lives of children require our teachers to 
wear many different hats. They

[[Page H2584]]

play a vital role in not only setting a solid academic foundation for 
all students, but also teaching our students basic life skills to 
succeed in the future. To say the least they are extraordinarily 
influential in shaping the lives of our students.
  I would like to thank teachers everywhere for their time and 
commitment. As a former school board member and the husband of an 
elementary school teacher I know that teachers do not stop working when 
the school bell rings. A teacher's job never stops. Each day brings new 
challenges and new opportunities. Many evenings are spent reviewing 
papers and preparing for the next day's class, and teachers often 
devote their time to extracurricular activities on evenings and 
weekends. They have one of the most important jobs in the country and 
should be praised for their diligence in the classroom.
  As we mark National Teachers Day this week, we cannot fail to mention 
one teacher in Littleton, Colorado, William Sanders, who gave his life 
defending and protecting his students. Teachers across the nation share 
his love of students and devotion to their well-being. Unfortunately, 
he paid the ultimate price and we should honor and remember his 
sacrifice.
  We must provide our teachers with the means to do their job well. If 
they don't, our children lose. Without an education, our children will 
not be prepared to compete in the global economy, they will not be 
empowered to escape poverty, they will not have the tools to succeed. 
But worst of all, they will never know the joy of challenging and 
expanding their minds. It is most appropriate to honor our teachers who 
daily engage our children in the art of learning.
  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
resolution, and to express my profound appreciation for the teachers 
that played such an important role in my life.
  From my days as a student at Roosevelt, St. Mary's, Marshall and 
finally graduation from Craig Sr. High, my teachers had a positive 
impact on my early learning habits as well as my future successes.
  I'd like to single out for recognition, however, one teacher in 
particular, Mr. Sam Loizzo. Sam was my high school United States 
Government teacher. What distinguishes Sam is his ability to involve 
students in all aspects of learning activities. Students become active 
participants in the educational process, not casual observers, and 
they're trained to apply the lessons learned in his classroom. Sam's 
students don't simply learn about our government, but they gain an 
appreciation for the structure and framework by which this great 
country was founded.
  Sam taught the value of civic responsibility. He encouraged me to 
research the role of the founding fathers and the Constitution. In 
fact, Sam was here on Capitol Hill with students from Craig Sr. High 
just last week impressing upon them the very same values he had shared 
with me.
  For over 20 years, Sam has been building friendships with his 
students, one on one relationships like ours that exist still today. He 
is a role model and a friend.
  Sam has a remarkable influence upon the lives of all the students 
that have an opportunity to sit in his class. Sam is indeed a credit to 
his profession.
  Through experience, skill and dedication, teachers like Sam are 
creating an environment in which every child in his or her class feels 
important and challenged.
  The students of today will soon take active roles in business, 
education, government, and other important positions in society. 
Today's teachers, in coordination with parents and families, are doing 
a wonderful job of equipping those students for the tasks they will 
face after graduation.
  I want to take this opportunity to not only recognize teachers like 
Sam, but to thank all of them for their contributions to future 
generations.
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, today Americans celebrate National Teacher 
Day, a day set aside to honor dedicated individuals. I would like to 
take a moment to recognize educators of excellence across the Fourth 
Congressional District for their contribution to our state.
  Teachers are a diverse group. Some teach children, some adults. Some 
give instruction in vocations, others liberal arts. Some educate 
children with special needs. Others teach English to students from 
other countries. Some coach basketball. Some are parents schooling 
their own children. Although different in many ways, good teachers have 
this in common: They are individuals devoted to excellence, possessing 
talent, patience, fortitude, and a personal love of learning.
  Mr. Speaker, as you know, excellence in education has been the focus 
of my efforts since my days in the Colorado State Senate. As the son of 
two retired school teachers and the father of three children who attend 
public schools (and one on her way), no issue is closer to my heart and 
home. Exceptional school teachers deserve our admiration, not only for 
their hard work but for the shear weight of their accomplishments--the 
cultivation of an educated citizenry. These inspirational individuals 
give me a glimpse into what the future can hold if we let it. If we 
continue to improve our system by recognizing and building on the 
achievements of great educators, the sky is the limit for American 
education.
  Empowering good teachers is essential to education reform. We can do 
this by ensuring more education funds reach the classroom, for example, 
by passing the Dollars to the Classroom Act. This act would require 95 
percent of federal education money be spent in classrooms. Currently, 
as little as 39 cents of every dollar reaches the classroom. This Act 
would increase education spending in Colorado by as much as $11 million 
simply through efficiency savings in Washington. More importantly, this 
money would go to support teachers, not bureaucrats, and special 
interests.
  After all, studies have shown the single most important factor in a 
quality education is a good teacher. Caring and talented teachers are 
of immeasurable worth to our society. They are the pride of our 
community and essential to our quality of life. In the words of 
Historian Henry Brooks Adams, ``A teacher affects eternity; he can 
never tell where his influence stops.'' Let us honor them today.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time has expired.
  The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Georgia 
(Mr. Isakson) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution, House Resolution 157.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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