[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 9, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H2726-H2734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SENSE OF THE HOUSE IN SUPPORT OF AMERICA'S TEACHERS

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 492) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives in support of America's teachers.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 492

       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 
California (Mr. McKeon) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Martinez) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2\1/2\ minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important resolution in 
recognition of our Nation's teachers, and I would like to start off by 
simply saying thank you.
  Thank you to all of the teachers who have shaped the lives of 
American school children. Thank you for your selfless and sometimes 
exhausting commitment to the children of this country, and thank you 
for protecting America's future.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe in many cases that we take teachers for 
granted and simply expect them to single-handedly prepare our students 
to face the challenges of life and become productive members of 
society.
  Here in Congress, we have a responsibility to ensure that Federal 
education programs allow local officials and schools the flexibility to 
make decisions based upon their specific needs. Again, I want to stress 
the flexibility is the key.
  Last year, in bipartisan fashion, the House passed the Teacher 
Empowerment Act to help address the needs of local schools and teachers 
relating to their recruiting, hiring and training of teachers.
  While this legislation requires school districts to both decrease 
class size and improve the quality of training for teachers, it leaves 
the exact balance between the two at the discretion of those at the 
local level who best know the needs of their schools and communities.
  I know I am not alone when I say I was privileged to have teachers 
who had a profound impact on my development, not only as a student but 
as a person. One of the greatest rewards of my job now is the 
opportunity to visit

[[Page H2727]]

schools and witness the great work that our teachers are doing and the 
difference they are making.
  It is almost universally true that every successful person, 
regardless of their field, can include the role of teachers as 
significant in the process of achieving that success.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to reiterate my thanks to all the 
teachers across our Nation who mean so much to our children and, 
consequently, to every citizen of this country both now and in the 
future.
  Teachers certainly deserve recognition, and I am honored to be able 
to be here on National Teacher Day to associate myself with this 
resolution.
  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. 492, which recognizes the 
unique and important contributions of America's teachers and urges all 
Americans to pay tribute to our Nation's teachers.
  Were it not for the benefit of an outstanding teacher, many of us 
would not have been as successful as we have been. When I was in the 
sixth grade, I had a very dedicated and perceptive teacher named Ms. 
Casson.
  Mr. Speaker, I will never forget Ms. Casson. Ms. Casson saw through 
my poor attitude and recognized it as my frustration over losing my 
battle with math.
  We were doing a math test and I didn't understand decimals, 
fractions, et cetera, and instead of doing the lesson, I was doing 
drawings I was making drawings, and she snuck up behind me and came 
down with a ruler across my hands and woke me up. And from there, she 
took the time to work with me and would not let me give up on myself; 
although, I gave her cause to do so on many occasions.
  Due to Ms. Casson's patience and persistence, I was not only able to 
conquer my difficulties with math, but also master other subjects as 
well.
  As a result, I was able to finish school in an era when most young 
Hispanics did not finish high school, much less receive postsecondary 
education.
  My experience with Ms. Casson made me realize that a good teacher can 
mean the difference between success and failure for a student, not only 
in school, but in life.
  Recent studies show that teacher quality is the single most important 
factor in student achievement. However, today's teachers face greater 
challenges than they ever have before.
  Classes are larger and more unmanageable. Classroom space is 
inadequate and often in poor and even unsafe conditions. And discipline 
problems and school violence are an all-time high.
  On top of it, we know the teacher candidates often do not receive 
adequate training; new teachers are not supported by their school 
systems; and current teachers are not provided with meaningful 
professional development. Under these circumstances, even Ms. Casson 
would have had problems.
  Mr. Speaker, Congress tried to address a number of those issues, in 
which the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) alluded to, during the 
1998 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act by creating the Loan 
Forgiveness Program for individuals who agree to teach for 5 years in a 
high-risk school district and by encouraging schools of education to 
improve the quality of their teacher education programs.
  We have another opportunity to provide greatly needed support to new 
and current teachers through the reauthorization of ESEA. We can 
provide them with smaller classes, safe and adequately-equipped 
classrooms, and the support of mentor teachers and relevant 
professional development. However, while I have no doubt that every 
Member of Congress supports helping our Nation's teachers, ESEA is 
currently caught up in a tangle bipartisan politics in both House and 
Senate; therefore, I suggest that if we really are sincere about 
recognizing paying tribute to our Nation's teachers, that we not only 
pass H. Res. 492, but also put aside our differences and pass ESEA that 
includes resources necessary for teachers to succeed in today's 
classrooms.
  As such, I rise in support of Ms. Casson and the millions of teachers 
like her who are doing perhaps the most difficult and important job in 
America and in support of H. Res. 492 and an ESA bill that we can all 
be proud of.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Goodling), the chairman of the Committee on Education 
and the Workforce.
  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  First of all, I want to congratulate the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Granger) who was the driving force behind bringing this resolution to 
the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, after parents, whether the child succeeds or fails 
academically will, in a great degree, be determined by the quality of 
the teacher in the classroom. This is why our Even Start Program and 
all family literacy programs work to help make sure the parent becomes 
child's first and most important teacher.
  This is why, in a bipartisan way, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce brought to the floor of the House the Teacher Empowerment 
Act, so that the second most important person in the child's academic 
life, the teacher, can be the most qualified person to fill that role.
  I hope the Senate will pass that bill so that it can be presented to 
the President for his signature.
  Public school teaching is the most difficult and yet important job in 
America today, and I join my colleagues in paying tribute to the 
dedication to achieving the goal of a totally literate America, as I do 
for all teachers, private, parochial school, as well as teachers of the 
home school.
  I think of Ms. Yost when I think of the teaching profession. Ms. Yost 
was my grade 1-4 teacher in a one-room school, teaching all four 
grades, where she had an average of 40 students per year. She was the 
art teacher, the music teacher, the reading teacher, the writing 
teacher, the arithmetic teacher, as well as the counselor, the 
psychologist and, yes, even the custodian. She was brilliant and 
dedicated and one of the role models who caused me to become a public 
school teacher, counselor, and administrator for 22 years.
  I thank the teachers for their dedication. America's future lies very 
heavily on their shoulders.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Baca).
  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my distinguished colleague the 
gentleman from Southern California (Mr. Martinez) for yielding me the 
time. I want to commend him for his hard work on behalf of education 
and support of America's teachers.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to also recognize my colleague the gentleman from 
Southern California (Chairman McKeon). I commend him for his hard work 
on the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training and Life-long 
Learning.
  I also want to commend our colleague the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Granger) for sponsoring this important education resolution.
  Education is an important aspect of America. Education is the 
foundation and it is the fruits that we bear in improving the quality 
of life. Education defines who we are.
  I want to commend many of our teachers who are out there today in our 
public schools. As it has been stated, they are teaching in an area 
where it is very difficult, conditions are not the best, they are 
teaching in diverse areas with a multitude of many languages.
  I believe that if a lot of us look at America and where we are today, 
we are here today because we have had good teachers that were willing 
to sacrifice and are willing to teach us and are willing to work with 
us.
  Too often in today's society we fail to recognize these teachers that 
are willing to give of their time and effort to make sure that the 
quality of life is improved. When we look at every business person, 
every individual in our society, they have been touched by some teacher 
some way along the lines.
  Whether it had been in elementary, whether it had been in 
intermediate, whether it had been a secondary, or whether it had been 
at a community college or State college or university,

[[Page H2728]]

it was these teachers who cared and motivated these students, who gave 
them the self-esteem that said that they have the confidence to go on 
in society and be what they want.
  That is why it is important that we today remember and recognize and 
support this H. Res. 492 in distinguishing this week as the 15th Annual 
Teachers Appreciation Week.
  America's investment in education represents an investment in our 
future. The measures of investment we make in our children's future 
reflects America's commitment to our future growth and future strength.
  On Friday, in conjunction with Teachers Appreciation Week, I am 
sponsoring an educational summit in San Bernardino. This summit will 
bring together teachers and students, along with officials of the 
public and private sector. This summit will explore education in the 
new millennium and improve technology in teacher training.
  As we seek to show our appreciation of America's teachers, it is 
important that we give them the tools needed to get the job done.
  Last week I introduced legislation to give teachers added help by 
bringing technology into the classroom and training teachers as they 
prepare for the 21st century. This bill will help teachers achieve the 
technology training that they will need in order to educate students 
today and tomorrow. We must demonstrate to America and recognize and 
give teachers the honor they fully deserve.
  I strongly urge support of our teachers. I appreciate this 
resolution.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the chief deputy whip.
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here today on National 
Teachers Day in honor of this important day.
  I was able to cosponsor this legislation along with the gentleman 
from Tennessee (Mr. Clement), my co-chair of the House Education 
Caucus, with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Chairman Goodling) and 
the gentleman from California (Chairman McKeon) and others.
  One out of five Members of the House, including the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Granger), who drafted this resolution, have been full-time 
educators at one time in their career. Members of this House know from 
personal experience what it is like to be in the classroom, to be an 
administrator, to work with the responsibilities of teachers.
  This resolution honors and recognizes the unique and important 
achievement of America's teachers. It urges all Americans to take a 
moment to thank teachers and pay tribute to our Nation's teachers.
  I would like to mention just briefly a teacher in the Springfield 
school district that is being recognized this week as the Teacher of 
the Year in that district.

                              {time}  1545

  Ms. Mae Tribble originally aspired to be a pediatric nurse so she 
could help others in need. However, while she was in college at 
Southwest Missouri State University and while working with the 
Springfield Park Board, she discovered the challenge and the reward of 
teaching. She has now taught for 27 years. She currently teaches the 
second grade at Pittman Elementary School. She has taught at other 
schools in the Springfield district and the Strafford district. Her 
education includes teaching first grade, second grade, disabilities K-
6, reading and math. She is an outstanding teacher.
  Teachers make a difference in people's lives, Mr. Speaker. They 
expand our only expandable resource, the potential of young people, the 
potential of our country. I am glad we recognize them today.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Clement).
  Mr. CLEMENT. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez), 
who has served us so well in this House and been a real leader on 
education issues for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentlewoman from Texas 
(Ms. Granger) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) in 
introducing this legislation to honor America's teachers. I know this 
body often disagrees on various issues but I think this is one of them 
that we can sure work together on. As cochair of the House Education 
Caucus, a former college President and a parent of two teenage 
daughters, I am pleased to take this opportunity to honor the 
outstanding work our teachers do every day. I fondly remember many of 
the teachers who instilled in me and in my children the love of 
learning and the desire to set and obtain goals.
  Few other professionals touch so many people in such a lasting way as 
teachers do. Teacher Appreciation Day affords us the opportunity to 
recognize the contributions that educators make to our community and to 
thank those special teachers who have made a difference in our lives 
and the lives of our children.
  I would like to especially honor the teachers of the year in my 
congressional district. Jennifer Snoot has taught in Tennessee's public 
schools for 9 years and is currently at Old Center Elementary School. 
Janet Stout, a teacher at Cameron Middle School, has taught for 14 
years. And Martha Burton, who teaches at Pearl-Cohn Business Magnet 
High School, has taught for 15 years. All of these three are dedicated 
teachers who have epitomized the dedication and commitment of America's 
teachers and helped our children so very much.
  There is no more important or challenging job than that of our 
Nation's teachers. 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 and mentors, encouraging our children 
to reach farther than they would have thought possible. Teachers 
continue to influence us long after our school days are only memories.
  Seldom do we recognize the importance of their job or the depth of 
their commitment to our children. While many people spend their lives 
building careers, teachers spend their careers building lives. For this 
they deserve our support, praise and gratitude.
  Teachers often put in countless extra hours outside of the classroom 
preparing lessons, reading and correcting papers and working with 
students who need just a little extra help. They do this because they 
love their job, care about their students and are committed to ensuring 
that our children have the best chance at success. All this under often 
trying circumstances and with less than adequate resources and support.
  I thank the thousands of teachers who have dedicated themselves to 
educating and believing in our children. I encourage all of my 
colleagues to take a moment as the school year winds to a close to 
thank those teachers who have made a difference in the lives of our 
children and our children's children. They are truly the unsung heroes 
of our communities.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Granger), the author of this resolution.
  Ms. GRANGER. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me 
this time.
  Mr. Speaker, Benjamin Disraeli once said, ``The fate of our Nation 
depends on the education of our children.'' Today I rise to honor the 
men and women who determine the fate of our Nation and our children, 
its teachers. These are the men and women who rise each day to make a 
difference. They go to work early, working with children who need a 
little extra help. They find the creativity to keep algebra fresh and 
at the end of the day they even may wipe away a few tears. These are 
the men and women who teach our children not only how to earn a living 
but also how to make a life.
  I have one of those special teachers in my district. Her name is 
Carole Brown and she is a second grade teacher. Carole was recently 
nominated Birdville Independent School District Teacher of the Year. 
Her coworkers wrote in her nomination that Carole is ``the teacher that 
every child deserves.'' They said Carole finds the time and resources 
to meet every child's individual needs.
  One parent of a special needs child said in a letter to Carole:

       I often think of the difficulty we experienced last year in 
     dealing with my son's disruptive behavior prior to his 
     attention deficit hyperactivity diagnosis. My heart went

[[Page H2729]]

     out to my son and you each day as I observed class. Your 
     encouragement gave me the desire and strength to seek the 
     medical attention my son needed. My son is on the road to 
     success now. My heartfelt appreciation and respect for you is 
     difficult to express in words. I pray that I have conveyed a 
     portion of that gratitude to you. I hope the very best for 
     you and I praise God for your dedication in providing 
     excellence in education.

  Mr. Speaker, Carole Brown truly believes every child can learn. She 
is the embodiment of the Texas education philosophy, leave no child 
behind. Today I salute Carole Brown and the other men and women out 
there who are molding our future by teaching our children as my own 
mother did for 47 years and as I did for 9.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Blagojevich).
  Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. Mr. Speaker, we have done a lot of talking the last 
few years about renewing our investment in education. School 
construction, computers and Internet access, school safety, up-to-date 
textbooks and library books, all of these are vital pieces in our 
efforts to improve local schools. But too often in this debate, Mr. 
Speaker, we have failed to focus on the need to invest in our most 
valuable resource, teachers. Next to a good parent, I cannot think of 
anyone more important to a child than a good teacher. A good teacher 
can provide guidance and help reinforce lessons in character and values 
taught by parents. And a good teacher can open the minds of children 
and show them that the pursuit of their dreams can be more than just a 
dream. But somehow our society has devalued teaching. We no longer 
place teachers on a pedestal of honor and respect. Instead we lionize 
professional athletes. We deify movie stars. Even lawyers and 
politicians whom most people, with all due respect for those of us 
here, do not like are viewed by children as people who have actually 
made it in America.
  But they do not view teachers that way. Today a common cliche is, 
``Those who can do and those who can't teach.'' Think about what that 
statement means. We have so devalued the profession of teaching that we 
consider it a refuge to those who cannot make it elsewhere. That is so 
wrong. If we in the Congress are going to talk about how we are going 
to make our country a better place for our children, then elevating 
teachers must be a central part of that discussion. We must give 
teachers the tools to succeed. Talk to a teacher and she will tell you 
that she is more interested in additional training and professional 
development than she is in more money. I think good teachers should 
have both.
  Last year with the help of Speaker Hastert we were able to 
appropriate money for a teachers academy for the Chicago Public 
Schools. Congress needs to continue to support efforts like this, both 
to improve our schools and to demonstrate to our young people that 
America recognizes what teaching is, a noble profession worthy of their 
pursuit.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Isakson), a strong member of the Committee on Education 
and the Workforce.
  Mr. ISAKSON. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) for 
the introduction and for yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am particularly honored to stand as a member of the 
Committee on Education and the Workforce and thank the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Granger) for bringing this measure to floor and thank the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Goodling) for his better than two 
decades' commitment to America's teachers, America's children and most 
recently his successful guidance to the passage of our commitment with 
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. And I associate myself 
with the remarks of the gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez) and my 
sincere hope in addition to our verbal tribute that we pay tribute to 
education by finally passing the reauthorization to ESEA in a 
bipartisan fashion in the interest of all children.
  But if we read House Resolution 492, it has two parts. First to thank 
all teachers and then second to take a moment, every American, to thank 
a teacher for the commitment that they make. In my remaining time, I 
would like to do just that by paying tribute to Ms. Linda Morrison, an 
advanced placement history, government and international affairs 
teacher at North Cobb High School in Acworth, Georgia, a woman who for 
better than two decades has brought government and history alive to 
children of great diversity, not of great economic prosperity. She has 
made our history and this government real. Year in and year out, her 
students go to New York and win or place in Model U.N. and throughout 
public service in our State today, many of her students serve their 
fellow man because of the inspiration of Linda Morrison.
  But like most and like all of us, she has achieved this through her 
difficulties. In the last 2 years, the greatest 2 years of her career, 
she has inspired children, led them to entering and winning the Model 
U.N., been a model teacher in Georgia and fought breast cancer 
successfully. Through chemotherapy and all its terrors, day in and day 
out remaining in the classroom to teach our children. I want to take my 
responsibility in this resolution to thank that teacher, Ms. Linda 
Morrison, who to me exemplifies the countless thousands of teachers in 
Georgia and in America who teach and educate our children.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Woolsey).
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in doing 
two things, honoring our teachers and saying thank you to our ranking 
member the gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez) for all he has done 
for education and as usual complimenting the gentleman from California 
(Mr. McKeon) for what he does.
  I am pleased to join my colleagues in expressing my strong support 
and deep appreciation for America's teachers. Mr. Speaker, in 
appreciation of all of our teachers, I would like to suggest that we in 
Congress give them a gift. The idea came from a teacher in my district 
who wrote an article about what he thinks is wrong with American 
education.
  In this article, which I will include for the Record, Paul 
Eggenberger writes that the problem with our education system is not 
the students, is not the administrators, and it is certainly not the 
teachers. The problem, and I quote Mr. Eggenberger, is with our 
culture. Families are fractured, they are too busy to care, they are in 
a hurry to raise academic standards, a hurry to eat, a hurry to get to 
work, a hurry to get to the soccer game, a hurry to get home.
  He goes on: ``We don't have time for our kids, to listen to them, to 
get involved in their lives, to discipline and to guide them.''
  There is much we can do right here in Congress to support families so 
that they will have the time their children need. Initiatives such as 
paid leave for new parents, coordinated family services at schools and 
universal school breakfast are just a few good examples of how to give 
parents more time with their children and give children the attention 
and the support they need to be good students and good citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, I include the Eggenberger article in its entirety:

                 [From the Press Democrat, May 4, 2000]

                   A Former Teacher Tells Why He Left

                         (By Paul Eggenberger)

       Ten years ago, with the encouragement of my friends and 
     family, I decided to respond to the call to teach. I sold a 
     successful business, invested $20,000 in my education and 
     enrolled in the teacher credential program at Sonoma State 
     University. Now, after eight years, I have resigned my 
     teaching position. Given the current discussion about 
     education by the various ``experts'' I thought it might be 
     useful if I shared a few observations.
       The problem with our educational system is not the 
     students. It is unfair for adults to blame children for our 
     failure to educate them. They are only responding to the 
     people and activities that affect their lives. They don't 
     make the video games, TV programs, books, magazines, sports, 
     friends, music and schools that they are exposed to.
       The problem with our educational system is not the 
     teachers. They are doing the best they can when you consider 
     the low wages, lack of supplies, poor and outdated textbooks, 
     insufficient curriculum materials and lack of administrative 
     support. I well remember my shock upon entering the school 
     environment after owning my own business for 15 years. Any 
     employee who ever worked for me would have quit within a few 
     days if placed into the environment of today's teachers. The 
     norm in the school I worked in was at least 50 hours a week 
     not including

[[Page H2730]]

     committees, sporting events, clubs, fund-raisers, PTA 
     meetings, etc. That means the average teacher with the 
     equivalent education of a master's degree earned about $15 an 
     hour.
       The problem with our educational system is not the 
     administration. They are in a constant juggling match to make 
     the best of insufficient funding, high turnover and 
     unrealistic demands from the state. No corporation or dotcom 
     would think of trying to improve its product without 
     investing in capital improvement or research and development. 
     But that's what our schools must do because of lack of 
     funding and unclear direction from the state.
       The problem is with our culture. Families are fractured. 
     They are too busy to care. They are in a hurry to raise 
     academic standards, a hurry to eat, a hurry to get to the 
     soccer game, a hurry to get to work, a hurry to get home, a 
     hurry to get rich. Parents are self-involved or stressed out. 
     Single moms can't get child support from irresponsible, 
     absent dads. TV has replaced conversation and literacy. Sex 
     has replaced love.
       We don't have time for our kids, to listen to them. To get 
     involved in their lives. To develop deep relationships with 
     them. To discipline and guide them. To teach them wisdom. To 
     teach them respect. To teach by example.
       No, instead we have taught them to look out for themselves, 
     to get gratification from video games and gangs, drugs and 
     sex, fast food and fast cars. To take the easiest way out. To 
     stay uninvolved, uncommitted, unloving. To always blame 
     someone else. After all, that's what adults do. Is it any 
     wonder they don't want to learn?

  I came to Congress seven years ago determined to make education our 
nation's number one priority. Today, as a Member of the Education 
Committee, I remain committed to that goal and I spend much of my time 
looking at ways we can tackle the problems in our schools.
  But while we in Congress focus a lot on what's wrong with education, 
we must remember that there's a lot that's right.
  Every day, in classrooms around the country, teachers are reaching 
out and connecting with their students. We are lucky to have 
outstanding teachers around the country preparing our children for a 
successful future.
  Despite new challenges and increasing demands, teachers in my 
District come to school everyday determined to make a difference.
  Today, National Teachers Day, I'd like to honor Marin County Teacher 
of the Year Mary Beth Vanosky and Sonoma County Teacher of the Year 
Susie Conte--who are two examples of the hard-working teachers we are 
fortunate to have in the North Bay.
  As a teacher with 25 years' experience, Ms. Vanosky doesn't consider 
teaching her fifth through eighth grade students her only job. 
Throughout her career, Ms. Vanosky has consistently served as a master 
teacher for student teachers and a mentor teacher to colleagues who 
were either new to teaching or new to their grade level. She knows that 
learning truly is a life-long process. For that reason, she hasn't 
stopped playing the role of student herself. Despite her years at the 
head of the class, Ms. Vanosky is constantly expanding her know-how 
with post-graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin, Arizona 
State University and San Francisco State University.
  In Sonoma County, Susie Conte gets high marks from students, 
colleagues and parents for the work she does teaching preschool and 
helping special needs students at Bennett Valley Elementary School. She 
has developed education programs for autistic children, formed a 
support group for parents of special-needs children and helped make 
classrooms safer for all children.
  Even after the school bell rings, Ms. Conte keeps giving. Once her 
school work is done, Ms. Conte makes time to volunteer with the Special 
Olympics and the YWCA's Women's Safe House.
  Mary Beth Vanosky and Susie Conte are just two examples of what's 
right about American education. While we have set aside National 
Teachers Day to pay tribute to educators, we must keep in mind that 
everyday teachers like Ms. Vanosky and Ms. Conte are working to make 
the future bright.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), a good friend of education.
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for sponsoring 
this resolution to honor America's teachers. This week we honor those 
who challenge our children to learn and grow and prepare to be leaders 
of tomorrow. When I graduated from college, my first job was teaching 
in public schools, and I have never forgotten the lessons I learned in 
the classroom years ago. Teachers, second only to parents, have the 
future of our Nation in their hands. This resolution honoring and 
recognizing the unique and important achievements of our teachers urges 
Americans to take a moment to thank and pay tribute to them.
  Elaine Savukas is a teacher from my district in Hempfield High 
School, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She teaches an AP government 
class and guides her students as they participate in the We the People 
competition. Each of her students is a scholar, if you will, in the 
Constitution, able to match wits with students across America. I can 
hardly think of a better way to prepare a student for a life of good 
citizenship than to challenge them to know the ins and outs of our 
unique form of government.

                              {time}  1600

  America is a great country because of our foundational document, the 
Constitution. But America is also great because of the generations of 
dedicated teachers like Elaine Savukas. I want to thank Elaine today 
for her dedication, her professionalism, and there are countless 
thousands of other teachers in America who deserve equal thanks. Let us 
pass this resolution, express to America's teachers just how much we 
appreciate what they do every day.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
this time.
  Mr. Speaker, as the father of an outstanding public school teacher 
and as a former State superintendent of my State schools, I rise in 
strong support of this resolution and I am a proud cosponsor of it as 
well, which really expresses the sense of this House for the support of 
America's teachers. I also want to thank all of the teachers who have 
touched my life through the years and made a difference.
  Mr. Speaker, what a difference a couple of years can make. Not long 
ago, this Chamber's majority engaged in teacher-bashing with reckless 
abandon. Rather than praise teachers as this bipartisan resolution 
rightly does, until recently, politicians in this Congress routinely 
took potshots at teachers and bad-mouthed our public schools for 
partisan gain. So today's resolution is a welcome change from the past.
  Mr. Speaker, talk really is cheap. Although this resolution is a very 
nice statement, this Congress needs to do more than talk the talk. We 
must walk the walk. This Congress must pass the many important 
legislative initiatives that are bottled up in one committee or 
another.
  With our schools bursting at the seams and with our children crowded 
into trailers, this House must act on common sense school construction 
legislation, and as our teacher shortage is critical in this country 
and reaching a crisis proportion, we need to pass legislation for 
100,000 teachers. As we debate the issues of youth violence and values 
in our society, this Congress needs to pass character legislation to 
help our children learn the lessons of respect, responsibility, 
honesty, integrity, courage, kindness, and those basic values that we 
look to.
  Mr. Speaker, today is National Teachers Day, and this week is the 
15th annual National Teachers Appreciation Week. But every day should 
be Teachers Appreciation Day. We need to raise the standards in this 
country for the profession of educators. Congress must exert the 
leadership and the moral authority to give every teacher in this 
country the high regard that he or she richly deserves.
  This resolution is a good step in that direction, and I commend its 
bipartisan support. However, we must take action to support our 
teachers and pass legislation that will improve education for our 
children.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), a good friend of education.
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today as 
cosponsor of House Resolution 492 which recognizes and honors America's 
teachers. As a former high school teacher myself, I understand the hard 
work and values teachers add to a child's life.
  At the end of this month, I will have the opportunity to attend the 
graduation of Collinsville class of 2000 when I will receive the Alumni 
Award and I will have the chance to address the students and the 
graduates. I will thank administrators Ron Ganshin and Rees Hoskin and 
Margaret Linder. But more

[[Page H2731]]

importantly, I will thank my teachers, Ron Adams, Kathy Baker, Richard 
Crabtree, Lloyd Dunne, Fay Fultz, Robert Johnson, Russ Keene, Jenet 
Kanel, Joe Naylor, Mark Nelson, Terry Smith, Joe Spurgeon, Neal 
Strebel, Steve Shults, Charles Suarez and Don Davisson, and many others 
whom my faltering memory and the lack of a yearbook have made it 
difficult for me to recall. Some are still in the profession, some no 
longer, and some have passed away. They have encouraged my thoughts and 
my dreams. They have supported my goals and my aspirations. I thank 
them for their work, and in thanking them, I thank all teachers today.
  Teachers have one of the most important jobs in our society, but it 
is often thankless. I urge all of us to make teacher appreciation not 
something we do once a year, but a practice and a habit that we 
practice year-round.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Capps).
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today is National Teacher Appreciation Day, 
and I wish to pay tribute to 4 remarkable teachers on the central coast 
of California. What a joy this is.
  Last month Tory Babcock, an English teacher at Santa Ynez High 
School, was named Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year. She was 
cited for her work in challenging students to embrace reading and 
writing, as well as her professionalism, her enthusiasm and success in 
motivating students in the classroom and beyond. She will be considered 
for California Teacher of the Year in the fall.
  Dr. Ed Avila was recently chosen by Hispanic Magazine as Hispanic 
Teacher of the Year. Dr. Avila is the director of the Endeavour 
Academy, an engineering and applied science preparatory school within a 
public school. A national panel of Hispanic leaders and educators 
selected Dr. Avila for exhibiting excellence in curriculum innovation, 
subject competence and the ability to motivate students.
  Just last week, Kevin Statom was chosen by Lucia Mar School District 
as Teacher of the Year. As head of the Arroyo Grande High School math 
department, Mr. Statom has been praised specifically for his efforts to 
get disinterested students turned on to math. Students at the high 
school praised him for spending at least 20 hours a week outside the 
classroom giving them the extra help they need.
  Finally, Mark Fairbank, a Paso Robles High science teacher, was 
recently chosen as one of the three best teachers in California. He is 
also under consideration for the Presidential Award for Excellence in 
Mathematics and Science Teaching. Mr. Fairbank is an expert in 
alternative learning tools and cross curricular learning that can help 
students who learn visually, such as those with dyslexia.
  Mr. Speaker, the Central Coast of California has much to be proud of. 
I am glad that we here in Congress are taking the time to honor our 
teachers. The education of our children and, indeed, of our future as a 
Nation rests on the quality of our Nation's teachers.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Kentucky (Mrs. Northup), a strong supporter of education.
  Mrs. NORTHUP. Mr. Speaker, I wish to rise and add my voice to the 
others in recognition of our teachers who have made such a difference 
in our lives. Most of us can think back to the years that we went 
through school, and the teachers that touched us in many different 
ways, in bringing out our talents and helping us to be successful in 
school. Those teachers were very different, some were very strict, we 
thought some of them were very specific; other ones were more creative 
and brought us in through different ways. But all of them had one thing 
in common: They gave us a sense of how important education is. They 
taught us what was important for us to know, and they gave us a love of 
learning.
  Today, on this teacher appreciation resolution, I wish to, first of 
all, thank the teachers in my life, teachers that touched my life and 
who were largely unthanked in the years where they were making such an 
important difference to so many children.
  Secondly, I would like to thank the teachers that are in the 
classroom today. We are almost at the end of this school year, and many 
children will walk out of the classroom door and will fail to recognize 
at this moment in their lives how much their teachers have meant to 
them this year and will mean to them for the rest of their lives.
  So, for the children that walk out of the classroom door this year, 
let us, here in Congress, invite the American people across this 
country to thank them in these children's stead so that they will know 
how important they are today and for the future generations.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, might I inquire of the time remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). The gentleman from 
California (Mr. Martinez) has 1\1/2\ minutes remaining; the gentleman 
from California (Mr. McKeon) has 5\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Martinez).
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Kind).
  (Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  As a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, I am 
proud to be able to support this resolution recognizing the 
significance of teachers and the quality of education in our country. I 
would urge all Americans to use this week as an opportunity to thank 
their teachers in their own communities.
  Mr. Speaker, outside of the active involvement of parents in their 
children's life and the education process, I think it is irrefutable 
that the best determination of how well a child is going to perform in 
our school system today is the quality of teachers that are in the 
classroom. They are doing remarkable work, even though more and more 
are being asked of them. I feel an important obligation that we as 
policymakers provide them with the tools and the resources they need to 
do their job better.
  Many of the teachers have been contacting us as Members of Congress 
in light of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, asking for 
additional funding or resources for ongoing training and professional 
development programs so that they can enhance their skills in working 
with our children. They are also calling for resources to reduce class 
sizes so that there is more individualized attention for the students 
and better safety in the classrooms and better discipline.
  So I would encourage the policymakers to support the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act and to thank the teachers who have made such a 
big difference in many of our lives and encourage the continued work 
that they are doing.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Green).
  (Mr. GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one 
of our Nation's most valuable resources, the dedicated men and women 
who serve as teachers. I know that dedication, because I have been 
married for 30 years to a high school algebra teacher. I come home at 
night in our district at 9:30 or 10:00 and exhausted, and she is still 
grading papers or inputting grades into the computer.
  Our teachers are hard-working professionals who are on the front 
lines of our struggle to provide a quality education for every child in 
America. Day in and day out they work hard so that our children can be 
prepared for whatever they want to be in the future. Teacher 
appreciation week is our time to show the appreciation for teachers. I 
would like to say that we could do much better.
  We should be able to put aside our differences and pass worthwhile 
legislation like H.R. 1196, which would repeal the 60-month limit on 
student loan interest deductibility and help relieve the burden of 
student loan debt for our teachers; H.R. 4555, the Teacher Technology 
Training Act, so that local money could be provided to train teachers 
in computer-related skills in the classroom; the School Construction 
Act to modernize our school facilities; and H.R. 1623, the Classroom 
Size Reduction and Teacher Quality Act.

[[Page H2732]]

  Mr. Speaker, there are lots of things we can do outside of just 
recognizing our teachers this week.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Horn), a good friend and colleague and a former 
university president.
  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today on National Teachers Day to pay tribute to 
America's teachers. Every day I can go through in my mind the teachers 
I had from first grade through the senior year of high school, not to 
mention the college teachers. I wish to give these men and women the 
honor and recognition that they deserve. I also wish to thank them for 
their service and their dedication to the Nation's young people.
  Our educational system is only as good as the teachers in it. Every 
day, American teachers face a variety of challenges, including 
overcrowded classrooms, crumbling facilities, safety concerns and 
severely limited resources. Given the importance of education to our 
children's future, it is unacceptable that teachers should have to 
tolerate these conditions.
  The best way I can think of to celebrate National Teachers Day is to 
enact educational reform to give teachers the resources and the 
flexibility that they so desperately need. Teachers make an invaluable 
contribution to the Nation and they deserve our gratitude. They touch 
our children's lives in countless ways and open up a world of 
possibilities to young people. For this reason, I am honored to support 
this resolution recognizing and thanking America's teachers.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Res. 492.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Martinez). We have had the good fortune of working together during this 
Congress. It has been a real joy working together with him. I do not 
know how many other opportunities we will have, but I want to thank him 
and let him know that I really have appreciated working with him, and 
appreciate his friendship. He is a great man and he has done a lot for 
this country. He has been a great Congressman.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, today I praise one of the too often under 
appreciated professions in our society: teachers. In doing so, I would 
like to offer my sincere thanks for their often thankless, but noble 
efforts.
  To quote Cicero, ``what nobler a profession, or more valuable to the 
state, than that of a man who instructs the rising generation.'' 
Teachers, next to parents, are the most influential people in the lives 
of our children. Like parents, they prepare students for the future. 
Teachers serve as role models, mentors, and friends. They strive to 
work with parents and guardians so that the full potential of each 
child may be realized.
  Mr. Speaker, teaching has never been an easy job, and it hasn't 
gotten easier in recent years. Currently, the people to whom we entrust 
our children must teach in classes so large many of us would find it 
impossible to maintain order, let alone create an atmosphere that is 
conducive to learning. Many teachers must work in dilapidated 
buildings, where heating, plumbing and cooling systems are 
insufficient. At a time when many of us would find it impossible to 
function without a computer, teachers are confronted with the task of 
preparing kids to work in an increasingly technological society without 
the use of this most basic piece of equipment.
  Not only do teachers deserve our thanks, they also deserve access to 
the best tools possible. Our nation's future is, after all, in their 
hands. We, in Congress, would be wise to enact a proposal similar to 
Vice President Gore's teacher assistance plan. We need to invest the 
necessary money to hire more teachers to reduce class sizes, modernize 
old schools and build new ones, and provide opportunities for teachers 
to get additional training so they can better prepare kids for the 
future. We must also draw educated and idealistic young men and women 
into teaching by providing student loan assistance to future teachers.
  Many of my colleagues and our Nation's Governors, acting either in 
haste, desperation, or stupidity, have continually tried to undermine 
real education reform by grasping at ``revolutionary schemes'' such as 
vouchers, which have proved to be as destructive to public schools as 
well as ineffective in raising student performance. They have attempted 
to privatize public schools, where 90 percent of America's children are 
educated. In an attempt to highlight the problems faced by public 
schools, they have used teachers and schools alike as punching bags to 
further their own risky, underhanded schemes that only divert education 
money away from where it's most needed. I stand before you today to say 
we should not tolerate this rascality any longer. Our teachers, our 
kids, and our Nation's future deserve better.
  Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that we can all work together, write 
quality legislation, help our schools, and thank our teachers for their 
efforts by showing them we know how important educating our children--
and their role in this mission--is to America's future.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
492, sense of the House in support of America's teachers.
  America's teachers are one of our most valuable resources. Since 
coming to Congress I have worked hard to improve our schools by helping 
teachers in my district express their concerns and support legislation 
to promote the noble profession they have chosen. In fact, my wife, 
Georgia, is a principal at Central Junior High School in Belleville, 
IL. I am proud of her accomplishments with the hundreds of students she 
comes in contact with every day as well as all of the teachers in the 
12th District of Illinois.
  Mr. Speaker, as a parent and grandparent of school-age children I 
cannot think of a career more important than that of our Nation's 
teachers. Every day teachers are faced with numerous crises including 
nurturing children from broken homes, children facing the growing 
threat of youth violence in our schools, and school buildings that do 
not meet safety standards.
  I applaud the countless generations of teachers for living up to the 
day to day challenge of preparing our children for the outside world. I 
urge all of my colleagues to join me in strong support of this 
resolution. Our teachers deserve this praise and recognition.
  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 492, expressing 
the sense of the House of Representatives in support of America's 
teachers.
  As a former high school English teacher, I am very familiar with the 
ability of teachers to have an impact on the lives of children. 
Teachers are some of the first role models many children have. They 
give us the tools to become well-rounded adults and upstanding 
citizens. Teachers are exceptional people who bring their love of 
learning and share their enthusiasm to work to share with their 
students everyday. Tirelessly, they impart their knowledge of any 
variety of subjects, from grammar to music to algebra. Inspired by the 
flicker of understanding in their students' eyes, they rely on the 
gratitude of their students and their families rather than on monetary 
rewards as their compensation.
  Indeed, our teachers are our Nation's greatest resource. They build 
the foundation of knowledge in our future generations, which will one 
day not only rule the world, but fundamentally change it for the 
better. Teachers fundamentally mold the character of our Nation's 
future leaders. We should all take the time to stop and remember the 
important influence that our teachers had upon our lives. In fact, we 
should all make an effort to go back and thank our teachers, or even 
just a single teacher who may have had a special impact on our 
educational experience in order to say ``thank you.'' This is the 
greatest way that we can recognize our teachers and repay our gratitude 
for all that they shared with us.
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the resolution of the 
gentlewoman from Texas expressing Congress' appreciation for the 
valuable work of America's teachers. I would also like to take this 
opportunity to urge my colleagues to support two pieces of legislation 
I have introduced to get the government off the backs, and out of the 
pockets, of America's teachers. The first piece of legislation, H.R. 
1706, prohibits the expenditure of federal funds for national teacher 
testing or certification. A national teacher test would force all 
teachers to be trained in accordance with federal standards, thus 
dramatically increasing the Department of Education's control over the 
teaching profession. Language banning federal funds for national 
teacher testing and national teacher certification has been included in 
both the House and Senate versions of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act (ESEA).
  I have also introduced the Teacher Tax Cut Act (H.R. 937) which 
provides every teacher in America with a $1,000 tax credit. The Teacher 
Tax Cut Act thus increases teachers' salaries without raising federal 
expenditures. It lets

[[Page H2733]]

America's teachers know that the American people and the Congress 
respect their work. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, by raising 
teacher take-home pay, the Teacher Tax Cut Act encourages high-quality 
people to enter, and remain in, the teaching profession.
  Mr. Speaker, these two bills send a strong signal to America's 
teachers that we in Congress are determined to encourage good people to 
enter and remain in the teaching profession and that we want teachers 
to be treated as professionals, not as Education Department 
functionaries. In conclusion, I urge my colleagues to vote for this 
resolution recognizing the hard work of America's teachers. I also urge 
they continue to stand up for those who have dedicated their lives to 
educating America's children by cosponsoring my legislation to prohibit 
the use of federal funds for national teacher testing and to give 
America's teachers a $1,000 tax credit.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the opportunity to 
speak in support of House Resolution 492. I would also like to take 
this opportunity to thank Representative Kay Granger of the 12th 
District of Texas for introducing this resolution which pays tribute to 
all teachers in the United States and aptly commemorates National 
Teachers Day, which we are celebrating today.
  My family comes from a long line of teachers, my mother is a former 
teacher, I am a former teacher and academic vice president and my 
daughter is a teacher in my district in Guam. As a former educator, I 
well appreciate the challenges all teachers face. It is often said that 
teaching is a thankless job. Although, it is the case with most 
teachers to be overworked by the growing volume of students in 
classrooms and overwhelmed by the constant shortage of teachers 
entering the ranks of the teaching profession from year to year, the 
impacts they make in shaping our lives and our futures is enormous and 
immeasurable. I would like to take this time to commemorate the 
remarkable commitment and contributions teachers make to our lives and 
highlight the contributions of Guam's Teacher of the Year for 2000, Mr. 
Josh Ledbetter.
  Mr. Ledbetter has come to teaching at a later period in his life than 
most rookies. Now at the young age of 49 and after many years serving 
our country in the U.S. Navy, followed by a brief career as a 
journalist, Mr. Ledbetter found teaching to be his calling. Mr. 
Ledbetter received his teaching degree from the University of Guam in 
1993. Since then he has taught for nearly six years as a first grade 
teacher at the Maria Ulloa Elementary, the Harry S. Truman Elementary 
and before transferring to the brand new Machananao Elementary School 
in Guam.
  Mr. Ledbetter is a testament to what it means to go the extra mile in 
the classroom. He brings constant innovation to teaching and emphasizes 
the need to bring relevance to his teaching. As a project, Mr. 
Ledbetter asked his students to bring in unneeded items from their 
homes. Students brought in an array of unneeded items including bottle 
caps buttons, plastic bread fasteners. Mr. Ledbetter incorporated these 
household materials to teach students concepts in mathematics through 
grouping the materials the students were so familiar with; first with a 
base of four, five, six, and then using a base of ten. The students 
became so comfortable with the idea of grouping that they had mastered 
the concepts before the time they reached the use of base ten.
  Mr. Ledbetter has broadened his commitment to education through his 
participation in various organizations, including the International 
Reading Association, the University of Guam Language Arts Conference 
and Symposium, the National Council of Teachers of English and numerous 
other projects to the pursuit of education.
  Mr. Ledbetter is currently pursuing his masters and doctorate degrees 
at the University of Guam and plans yet another career change, this 
time as a professor at the University of Guam's College of Education, 
teaching cadres of young adults about the importance of teaching. I 
wish him much success.
  It gives me much pleasure to recognize and highlight the 
contributions that teachers like Josh Ledbetter make to our community. 
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all teachers for their constant 
contributions to instill and shape the lives of our children and our 
communities.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, today, National Teacher's Day, we honor our 
nation's teachers and recognize the lasting contribution they make in 
our children's lives. Teachers are fundamental to the future successes 
of our children. They inspire our children to learn and instill them 
with the tools they need to be successful in their careers and in their 
lives.
  People who enter the teaching profession don't do it for the money--
they do it out of love. That love is reflected in the countless hours 
they spend outside the classroom, preparing lesson plans, being 
involved in extra curricular activities, and even buying supplies with 
their own money. Mr. Speaker, the average teacher spends $408 of his or 
her money each year to meet the needs of their students.
  Let me tell you about the teachers we have in my district. They 
certainly don't teach for the money--in fact many salaries barely pay 
rent--but they are the most dedicated workforce I know.
  I invited the Secretary of Education, Richard Riley, to my district 
to witness first hand the problems the schools in my district face with 
overcrowding. He visited on April 27, 2000, along with the new 
chancellor of the New York City Board of Education and we had a very 
informative and productive tour and meeting.
  When deciding which school to highlight for Secretary Riley, I 
selected PS 19, which operates at 157% capacity, and is one of the 
most, if not the most, overcrowded elementary school in the City of New 
York.
  I contacted the Principal at PS 19, Catherine Zarbis, who agreed to 
open up her school during their spring break, to show the Secretary and 
the Chancellor their overcrowded conditions and numerous portable 
classrooms.
  When we visited the school the day before, we found many teachers 
there--on their spring break--cleaning their classrooms, making new 
room and hall decorations, and preparing lesson plans. These teacher 
came in, on their own free time, to clean the building and prepare for 
the Secretary's visit. In fact, everyone from the teachers to custodial 
staff to the security personnel pitched in for this event. I want to 
personally recognize everyone for their hard work: Principal Catherine 
Zarbis, Assistant Principal Roseann Napolitano, Assistant Principal 
Dina Erstejn; Mr. Miria Villegas, Mrs. Janina Juszczak; and Mrs. 
Kathleen Ktistakis, who is affectionately called Mrs. K by her 
students. The custodial staff: Mr. Thomas Zerella, the Custodial 
Engineer; Ms. Renee Rhein; Mr. William Bischoff; Mr. Fernando Seara; 
Mr. Louis Bischoff; Mr. Leonard Rooney; Mr. David Fasano; Mr. Wilmer 
Romero; Mr. Omar Yahia. And the parent volunteers: Mrs. Zoraya Torres; 
Mrs. Ana Hernandez; and Mrs. Julliana Bonetti. These educators truly 
represent what teachers really stand for and should serve as role 
models to us here in Congress as well as our children.
  I urge my colleagues to put aside partisanship and help these 
teachers--reduce their class size average of 36, give them full 
classrooms, instead of converted closets, bathrooms, hallways, and 
attics. We need to pass substantial school construction legislaiton as 
well as class size reduction, implement after school programs, safe and 
drug free schools, and provide access to technology. Our teachers and 
our children deserve it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 492.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. McKEON. 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, the Chair 
will reduce to 5 minutes the minimum time for electronic voting on four 
additional motions to suspend the rules on which the Chair has 
postponed further proceedings. Such votes will be taken immediately 
following this vote.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 422, 
nays 0, not voting 12, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 149]

                               YEAS--422

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Andrews
     Archer
     Armey
     Baca
     Bachus
     Baird
     Baker
     Baldacci
     Baldwin
     Ballenger
     Barcia
     Barr
     Barrett (NE)
     Barrett (WI)
     Bartlett
     Barton
     Bass
     Bateman
     Becerra
     Bentsen
     Bereuter
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilbray
     Bilirakis
     Bishop
     Blagojevich
     Bliley
     Blumenauer
     Blunt
     Boehlert
     Boehner
     Bonilla
     Bonior
     Bono
     Borski
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Brady (TX)
     Brown (FL)
     Brown (OH)
     Bryant
     Burr
     Burton
     Callahan
     Calvert
     Camp
     Canady
     Cannon
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardin
     Carson
     Castle
     Chabot
     Chambliss
     Chenoweth-Hage
     Clay
     Clayton
     Clement
     Clyburn
     Coble
     Coburn
     Collins
     Combest
     Condit
     Conyers
     Cook
     Cooksey
     Costello
     Cox
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     Etheridge

[[Page H2734]]


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                             NOT VOTING--12

     Buyer
     Campbell
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     Gephardt
     Kuykendall
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     McCollum
     McIntosh
     Moakley
     Payne
     Wise
     Young (FL)

                              {time}  1638

  So (two-thirds of those present having voted in favor thereof) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________