[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E926-E927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING AMERICA'S TEACHERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 1999

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last week we celebrated National 
Teacher Appreciation Week and paid tribute to the dedicated men and 
women who serve as teachers. Our teachers are hardworking professionals 
who are on the front lines of our struggle to provide a quality 
education for every child in America. They work hard so that our 
children can succeed in life. While it is important to recognize and 
acknowledge their hard work and commitment to educate our children, we 
must also provide them with the necessary tools they need to give our 
children a quality education.
  It is imperative that Congress pass legislation to provide the money 
to fulfill our commitment to IDEA so that learning disabled children 
don't lag behind nondisabled children. It is also important that we 
continue to fund afterschool programs, and class size reduction 
programs that will put 100,000 new teachers in our classrooms.
  Presently, Congress is considering the Teacher Technology Training 
Act, which would provide money to local school districts to train 
teachers in classroom-related computer skills, and the School 
Construction Act, which would help our teachers by renovating and 
modernizing the classrooms and facilities. In addition, the President's 
budget proposal provides for at least an overall 15-percent increase in 
education programs. These proposals will provide teachers the tools to 
raise test scores, student achievement, and graduation rates.
  However, most important for this Congress and vital for our students 
and teachers, is the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act. The programs in ESEA are critical to the most 
disadvantaged students in our educational system. They include monies 
for safe and drug-free schools, technology education, infrastructure 
improvement, and bilingual education.
  In this week that we have set aside to honor our Nation's teachers, 
Congress needs to get its priorities in line and act on the legislation 
that would say more about our dedication to teachers and the education 
of our children. Our children and teachers need schools that are safe, 
modern, with small classes, and access to the Internet. The tragedy in 
Littleton, CO, showed the need for parents, teachers, administrators, 
and elected officials to work together and set as a national priority, 
our children.

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