[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 53 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING RICHARD A. WATSON, FROM THE 20TH DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2000

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, as a former high school teacher, today I 
commend a retiring teacher from the 20th District of Illinois, Mr. 
Richard A. Watson. For 31 years, Mr. Watson taught agricultural 
education and served as the FFA advisor at Lincolnwood High School in 
Raymond, IL.
  Some teachers think that education is a 9 to 5 job, but not Mr. 
Watson. Besides teaching in the classroom, he spent countless hours 
coaching judging teams, public speakers, and parliamentary procedure 
teams. Mr. Watson spent time after school assisting students with their 
Supervised Agricultural Experiences and other various community 
activities that the FFA Chapter set out to do.
  Because of Mr. Watson's hard work, he was able to watch his students 
achieve their goals. Whether it was a State FFA Degree, Foundation 
Award or State FFA Office, he was an advocate and a motivator. More 
importantly, Mr. Watson was known for his famous phrase, ``Keep your 
chin up,'' when things didn't go so well.
  Mr. Watson has contributed to the betterment of the 20th District 
because he taught high school agricultural education to the person who 
advises me today on agricultural issues, Amy Matthews. I thank him for 
his 31 years of service and congratulate him for his outstanding 
teaching career.
  But I also want to remind him, that our area won't let him slip away. 
Good teachers, good people are always needed and always welcome in our 
communities. While his official service may be ending, I know we can 
count on him to continue to make a difference in the lives of our 
children and therefore our collective futures.

                          ____________________