[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 12, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING TOM KEATING ON BEING NAMED THE MINNESOTA TEACHER OF THE 
                             YEAR FOR 2004

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                         HON. MARK. R. KENNEDY

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2004

  Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Tom 
Keating on being named the Minnesota Teacher of the Year for 2004. He 
received this award at a ceremony on Sunday, May 2, 2004, in front of 
his wife, Mary Sue, also a teacher, their four children and his friends 
and colleagues. This year, there were a record 150 nominees for the 
award, and Keating was selected from among 10 finalists.
  Born in Minneapolis, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 
health and physical education from St. Cloud State University. He began 
his teaching career at Foley High School in 1971. In 1982, he joined 
the Monticello public schools teaching a variety of subjects. He has 
also developed his own programs, including S.U.P.E.R. (Students Using 
Peers to Educate Responsibly) and the school's youth service program. 
In 1990, he went back to school himself and received his M.A. in 
curriculum and instruction from the University of St. Thomas. He is now 
a multi-subject teacher at the Turning Point Alternative School in 
Monticello.
  Mr. Speaker, it is teachers like Tom Keating that embody the 
commitment to students that all teachers strive to possess. His hard 
work and dedication to his students and his support for children that, 
in his words, are in danger of falling away, are just two of the 
reasons he deserved this important honor. I join his colleagues, 
friends, students, and all Minnesotans in congratulating him on his 
achievements.

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