[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 66 (Monday, May 10, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H2923-H2924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, May 2 through 9 is the 
National Parent Teacher Association's 14th annual ``Teacher 
Appreciation Week.''
  A week to celebrate the selfless dedication of our nation's teachers 
and educators who work every day to help our students gain the skills 
they need to prepare for the future.
  Today, our nation's teachers accept many challenges in the classroom.
  George F. Will once cited two surveys of the top discipline problems 
in public schools to emphasize the tremendous change in our nation's 
schools over time.
  Those top problems listed on survey from the 1940s included students 
chewing gum, making noise, getting out of turn in line, and not putting 
paper in the wastebaskets.
  The 1980s survey lists the top problems as drug abuse, alcohol abuse, 
pregnancy, suicide, rape, robbery, and assault.
  Mr. Speaker, as the role of our teachers continue to evolve, the 
importance of having quality educators in the classroom is absolutely 
critical.
  Today, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to recognize 
three very special educators from the Third District of North Carolina, 
which I am proud to represent.
  While I only have time this evening to mention three, I must 
emphasize that this week is a tribute to all teachers.
  Not just in Eastern North Carolina, but teachers across the country 
who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to help our children 
challenge themselves and achieve their educational goals.
  Audra Singleton is one particular teacher who uses a unique and 
successful mixture of discipline and encouragement to motivate her 
students to learn.

[[Page H2924]]

  Mrs. Singleton is an eight-grade language arts teacher at Wellcome 
Middle School in Greenville, North Carolina.
  A veteran of the Gulf War, Mrs. Singleton was nominated by her 
students to receive the Channel One Network's Teacher of the Year.
  Channel One produces educational programs for middle and high school 
aged students.
  About 12,000 schools nationwide, including Wellcome, subscribe to 
Channel One as an educational resource.
  In an effort to recognize the efforts of our nation's teachers, 
Channel One asked students to videotape their teachers in the 
classroom.
  Mrs. Singleton, with the faithful support and encouragement of her 
students, was selected Channel One's Teacher of the Year.
  Ralph Cole is another educator who deserves recognition today.
  Mr. Cole has been educating the children of Chowan County, North 
Carolina for the last thirty-seven years.
  Now principal of D.F. Walker Elementary School in Edenton, Mr. Cole 
has dedicated his career to ensure that all students have equal access 
to a quality education.
  While Mr. Cole is retiring at the end of this school year, I wanted 
to acknowledge him during Teacher Appreciation Week for his efforts to 
inspire all children to learn and to reach their full potential.
  Mr. Speaker, each year the state of North Carolina selects a teacher 
to serve as ambassador for public schools and the teaching profession.
  The teacher then goes on to compete for the honor of National Teacher 
of the Year.
  Rebecca Hoyle, a veteran of North Carolina public schools for 26 
years, has been named North Carolina's 1998-1999 teacher of the year.
  Ms. Hoyle is a music teacher at Jacksonville Commons Elementary 
School in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
  I had the opportunity to visit with her briefly a couple weeks ago 
when she was in Washington.
  In addition to her dynamic personality, Miss Hoyle has received 
praise for embracing diversity in the classroom.
  She has also worked to emphasize the valuable resource our 
communities can play in the education of our nation's children.
  Mr. Speaker, our nation's teachers are forced to wear many hats in 
today's classroom.
  Not only do they prepare our children and help them to learn, but 
they serve as role models as well.
  Former Education Secretary William Bennett once said, ``What we do to 
children, they will do to others. There is nothing like the moral power 
of example. But above all, we as a society, as a common culture, have 
to respond to the call of our national history, and to the 
responsibility it imposes upon us of instilling in our children an 
informed appreciation of American principles and American practices.''
  During Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to thank Mrs. Singleton, Mr. 
Cole, Ms. Hoyle, and teachers across the country, who prove their 
dedication to our children daily by accepting these roles and making an 
investment in the lives of our children.
  As you continue your efforts in our classrooms, we will do everything 
we can in Congress to continue ensuring that you have access to the 
resources you need to challenge the minds of our nation's children.

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