[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 9, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4612-S4613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 85--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF MAY 6 THROUGH 12, 2001, 
AS ``TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK'', AND DESIGNATING TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2001 
                      AS ``NATIONAL TEACHER DAY''

  Mr. WARNER (for himself, Mr. Allen, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Brownback, Mr. 
Jeffords, Mr. Craig, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Enzi, Mr. DeWine, Ms. 
Mikulski, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Smith of Oregon, and Mr. Stevens) submitted 
the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 85

       Whereas the foundation of American Freedom and democracy is 
     a strong, effective system of education where every child has 
     the opportunity to 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 is the result of 
     the hard work and dedication of teachers across the Nation;
       Whereas in addition to a child's family, knowledgeable and 
     skillful teachers can have a profound impact on the child's 
     early development and future success;
       Whereas many people spend their lives building careers, 
     teachers spend their careers building lives;
       Whereas our Nation's teachers serve our Nation's children 
     beyond the call of duty as coaches, mentors, and adviser's 
     without regard to fame or fortune; and
       Whereas across our Nation, nearly 3,000,000 men and women 
     experience the joys of teaching young minds the virtues of 
     reading, writing, and arithmetic: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of May 6 through 12, 2001, as 
     ``Teacher Appreciation Week'':

[[Page S4613]]

       (2) designates Tuesday, May 8, 2001 as ``National Teacher 
     Day''; and
       (3) calls upon the people of the United States to take a 
     moment out of their busy lives to say thanks and pay tribute 
     to our Nation's teachers.

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to say thank you to the over 
3,000,000 teachers in this Nation for all of the hard work and personal 
sacrifices they make to educate our youth. For this reason, I introduce 
a resolution designating the week of May 6 through 12, 2001, as 
``Teacher Appreciation Week'' and designating Tuesday, May 8, 2001 as 
``National Teacher Day.''
  All of us know that individuals do not pursue a career in the 
teaching profession for the money. People go into the teaching 
profession for grander reasons--to educate our youth, to make a lasting 
influence.
  While many people spend their lives building careers, our teachers 
spend their careers building lives. Simply put, to teach is to touch a 
life forever.
  How true that is. I venture to say that every one of us can remember 
at least one teacher and the special influence he or she had on our 
lives.
  By educating today's youth, our teacher's are preparing tomorrow's 
leaders.
  This week in the Senate, we are considering legislation to 
reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. How appropriate 
it is that during this debate Teacher Appreciation Week and National 
Teacher Day are upon us.
  The education legislation before us this week is based on the 
principle that our education system must ensure that no child is left 
behind.
  As we move towards education reforms to achieve this goal, we must 
keep in mind the other component in our education system--the teachers. 
If we forget our teachers in this debate, our children will be left 
behind.
  Quality, caring teachers, along with quality, caring parents, play 
the predominant roles in ensuring that no child is left behind.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing our Nation's teachers 
by passing this resolution designating the week of May 6 through 12, 
2001, as ``Teacher Appreciation Week, and Tuesday, May 8, 2001, as 
``National Teacher Day.''

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