[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING SANDRA FELDMAN ON HER RETIREMENT FROM THE PRESIDENCY OF THE 
                    AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2004

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the life, career and 
passion of Sandra Feldman, who history will record as being one of the 
greatest leaders of public education in the United States. Ms. Feldman 
is herself a testament of the public education system. She culminated a 
career in education by being elected to lead the largest teacher's 
union in the country, the American Federation of Teachers. Today this 
Congress recognizes Sandra Feldman for her tireless efforts to improve 
public education for all of our children.
  Ms. Feldman, began her life in Brooklyn, New York as a student in the 
New York City public school system. She recognized early that education 
was a way out of the poverty she grew up in. Ms. Feldman lived in a 
duplex building with four families--her family consisting of five 
members alone. She lived in the toughest imaginable situation, but she 
persevered.
  After graduating from James Madison High School she excelled at 
Brooklyn College and continued with her academic career at New York 
University. She definitely proved herself to be quite the student, and 
then challenged herself to meet the challenge of educating and shaping 
young lives through becoming a teacher. She taught at Public School 34 
in Manhattan. In her early days as a young teacher, did she dream that 
she would one day achieve the presidency of the largest teacher's union 
in the nation?
  As Sandra began her lifelong career as an advocate for disadvantaged 
youth in education, she participated in the great civil rights movement 
of the 1960's, by partaking in the freedom rides and being arrested. As 
a teacher she became active in the union and tirelessly worked for the 
children of New York. She gained notice because she was clearly the 
best advocate for disadvantaged students.

  In 1966 she became involved as a field representative for the United 
Federation of Teachers (UFT). She was repeatedly promoted to become the 
Executive Director of the UFT. As executive director she oversaw all of 
the union's activities.
  She was elected president of the UFT in 1986. She served honorably as 
president for over a decade until she was elected as president of the 
American Federation of Teachers in 1997.
  Sandra Feldman now steps down from that post. She served as the 15th 
president of the union and the first woman since 1930. Her career as 
president was marked with innumerable successes. She is regarded as the 
preeminent authority on urban education and disadvantaged youth. Ms. 
Feldman has served on a plethora of committees and on the board of 
countless organizations. She has been recognized by magazines as one of 
the ``most influential women,'' in the country. She is certainly the 
most influential educator in the Nation.
  I regret Sandra's departure from the presidency of the American 
Federation of Teachers, although she deserves a rest from her endless 
labors. She has certainly left an indelible mark on public education in 
this Nation during her superb service to our youth.
  In addition to noting her successful career as a teacher, and 
unprecedented leadership of the American Federation of Teachers union I 
would like to extend my support and well wishes to this remarkable 
woman as she battles her illness. I wish her a speedy recovery.
  There are no words adequate to express the gratitude I have for 
Sandra Feldman for her service and my regard for the contributions she 
has made.
  I rise today and call on my colleagues to support House Resolution 
714, to recognize Sandra Feldman for her tireless dedication to 
improving education for our children.

                          ____________________