[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 48 (Thursday, April 25, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3428-S3429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO 2002 TEACHER OF THE YEAR: CALIFORNIAN CHAUNCEY VEATCH

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
a great Californian, Chauncey Veatch, whom I am very proud to know. 
Chauncey Veatch has been bestowed the highest honor available to 
teachers; he has been named the 2002 ``Teacher of the Year.''
  I have had the honor of meeting Chauncey Veatch on two occasions. 
First when he became California's Teacher of the Year, and then again 
today. I could tell from my first meeting with Mr. Veatch that 
California was lucky to have a teacher like him in the State. His love 
for teaching and genuine concern for his students was apparent from the 
way he spoke about his classroom, students, and community.
  Mr. Veatch did not always know he wanted to be a teacher. He came to 
teaching later in his career. He first spent 22 years in the Army 
infantry and medical services corps, working as a medical 
administrator.
  After retiring in 1995, Mr. Veatch decided to follow in his siblings 
footsteps and become a teacher. He currently teaches social studies at 
Coachella Valley High in Thermal, California. The overwhelming number 
of his students come from migrant families, and nearly all of his 
students are Spanish-speaking. Mr. Veatch speaks Spanish to communicate 
with many of his students and to show respect for their culture.
  His students and colleagues know Mr. Veatch as a courteous, tireless 
worker. He goes the extra mile for his students and his community. It 
is not uncommon for Mr. Veatch to spend hours after school helping 
students get caught up on their course work or to get ahead. One of his 
migrant students had to work with his family until November. A place 
was saved for him in the classroom, and Mr. Veatch worked with him 
everyday after school to make sure he caught up with the rest of the 
class. This is just one example of the many students he has helped.
  Mr. Veatch's former principal, Rick Alvarez, said of his colleague: 
``Believing our students can succeed is not a desire or a facade, but 
is actually something Chauncey lives. This caring can be seen in his 
eyes and heard in his voice and felt in his presence, and mostly seen 
in his actions.''
  Chauncey Veatch said in the Rose Garden yesterday as President Bush 
presented him with his award, ``If you'd like to be a part of America's 
tomorrows become a teacher today.'' Mr. Veatch is a living example of 
the difference each person can make in the life of a child. Along side 
him at the ceremony were two of his students whose lives he has touched 
and undoubtedly changed. His students are his legacy, as he commonly 
refers to them as his ``kids.'' Through his actions, it is apparent to 
me that the terms ``kids'' is not only used a word to describe his 
classroom, but really how he thinks of his students. They are like 
family.
  From Army Colonel to ``Teacher of the Year,'' I am proud to know you 
Chauncey Veatch and to call you a Californian. In Mr. Veatch's words, 
``There is nothing more rewarding, nothing more patriotic than 
teaching. It is truly a joy and honor to be a teacher. This award 
belongs to my students.''
 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to bring to the 
Senate's attention an exceptional person--Chauncey Veatch, a teacher 
from Coachella Valley High School in Thermal, California.
  He teaches world history, government and ninth-grade career 
preparation at Coachella Valley High School. He also does much more. He 
has taught English as a Second Language and citizenship classes in 
evening adult school. He revived the high school's cadet program, which 
has grown to 170 students. And he is often found with his students and 
their families outside of school in the community. Although he has only 
been teaching since 1995, after 22 years of service in the U.S. Army, 
Mr. Veatch

[[Page S3429]]

has become a mentor and an inspiration not only to his students, but to 
other teachers as well.
  While he has never sought recognition, Chauncey Veatch was selected 
last year as California Teacher of the Year. More significantly he was 
recently honored at the White House as the 2002 National Teacher of the 
year.
  Chauncey Veatch believes in his students and demonstrates that belief 
to them every day. The result is they believe in themselves. Their 
success in school, and in life, is remarkable.
  California is extremely proud of Chauncey Veatch. I am honored to pay 
tribute to him. As National Teacher of the Year he will travel for a 
year as an education ambassador. I encourage my colleagues to join me 
in wishing Chauncey Veatch continued success as he spreads his positive 
message across our nation and beyond and as he continues his 
exceptional teaching.

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