[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF TEACHERS INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL TEACHERS HALL OF 
                                  FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2003

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on National Teacher 
Day, to recognize this year's inductees into the National Teachers Hall 
of Fame in Emporia, Kansas. All of us have had special teachers in our 
lives, and we are forever indebted to them for their motivation, their 
compassion, and their desire to see students achieve their full 
potential. Now in its 14th year, the Hall of Fame continues its mission 
to honor exceptional teachers and promote excellence in teaching. 
Congratulations to the 2003 inductees: Larry Statler, Cynthia Jones, 
Ruth Ann Gaines, Kathleen McGrath, and Carol Strickland.
  At Santa Teresa Elementary in San Jose, California, Larry Statler has 
used his talents to create the Discovery program. Discovery is a 
collaborative effort between special and general educators. Although 
Larry specializes in special education, his superintendent calls him `a 
man for all children.'
  Cynthia Jones, a third and fourth grade teacher at Cason Lane Academy 
in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has shared her love of education around the 
world. She has presented original research in Durham, England, and in 
Washington, DC. She participated in the White House Conference on 
Education from 1995 to 2001 and also traveled to Japan in 1999 as a 
Fulbright Scholar.
  According to a former student, Ruth Ann Gaines takes teaching beyond 
the classroom. At East High School in Des Moines, Iowa, she has created 
the `Sisters for Success' program, a mentoring organization for 
African-American high school girls to build self esteem and facilitate 
academic success. She has also created the Leadership Council, a school 
organization that helps address problems of diversity in the school and 
community.
  Kathleen McGrath of Ocala, Florida, loves knowledge and conveys that 
to her students through her dedication to teaching. Every student TRIES 
in her classroom. This motto stands for Trust, Relationships, 
Involvement, Expectations, and Success. Kathleen is also a three-time 
recipient of the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship in 1992, 1999, and 2001.
  I am especially proud to recognize Carol Strickland, who is from 
Emporia in my home state of Kansas. Carol won the Kansas Teacher of the 
Year award in 1999 followed by the U.S. Department of State Secondary 
School Excellence Award in 2001. Her accomplishments include launching 
an Applied Communication class to help students with Limited English 
Proficiency transition from high school to the working world.
  Larry, Cynthia, Ruth Ann, Kathleen, and Carol exemplify what it means 
to be a teacher--what it means to make a difference. These five 
inductees collectively have 143 years of teaching experience. I salute 
these men and women for their dedication to the youth of our country. 
It is my hope that they will find satisfaction in knowing the influence 
they have made on the lives of their students.