[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DAVID W. SHANER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2005

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, today is National Teacher Day. It is a 
day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions 
they make to our lives. This day acknowledges the fact that a great 
teacher can make a world of difference in any child's life. A great 
teacher may be the bridge between the mediocre and true excellence. Our 
society owes a debt of gratitude to those teachers who have helped us 
along the way.
  In this spirit, I rise today to honor the life of an extraordinary 
teacher, David W. Shaner. On February 3, 2005, at the age of 83, Mr. 
Shaner died near his winter home in the Villages, Florida. Prior to his 
retirement, Mr. Shaner was a teacher at Riverside High School in 
Painesville, Ohio.
  Mr. Shaner was born Sept. 18, 1921, in Cherry Tree, PA. Since his 
retirement in 1985, Mr. Shaner divided his time between his homes in 
Erie, PA, Painesville and the Villages, FL.
  He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, in the China-Burma-
India theatre, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. He was an honors 
graduate of Lebanon Valley College.
  As a teacher, Mr. Shaner demanded excellence, and most often received 
it. He had little patience for laziness or ``can't do'' attitudes. He 
also had a remarkable zeal for life. He was brilliant, lively, 
humorous, and loved the arts.
  Mr. Shaner was very devoted to his family, his friends and his former 
students. He consistently encouraged his students to reach for 
greatness in order to realize their potential.
  As recently as 1998, the community gathered in his honor in The David 
W. Shaner Auditorium at Riverside High School in Painesville Township. 
The event, The Living Legacy Concert, included performances by former 
students who have distinguished themselves in the performing arts. 
Among them was renowned opera singer, Heidi Skok (Riverside Class of 
1985), who encapsulated Mr. Shaner's influence on his students, ``He 
instilled a sense of discipline that even today I use in my career . . 
. he always set the bar up higher and made you want to grab that bar, 
which is what helps you succeed.''
  During the last days of his life, he spoke by telephone to many of 
his former students and colleagues whose lives he continued to touch as 
both a friend and mentor. His discipline and selfless dedication to his 
students and his craft were legendary. He said it best himself, ``I 
dedicated my life to teaching and play-directing and making students 
live the very best lives they can. One must be proud of oneself. 
Teachers need to set an example for students.''
  Mr. Shaner joined the faculty of Riverside High School in 1951, where 
he taught English, drama and theater. In his illustrious 34-year 
career, he produced 54 plays, including ``Annie Get your Gun,'' 
``Seventeen,'' ``The Man Who Came to Dinner,'' ``Meet Me in St. 
Louis,'' ``The Sound of Music,'' ``Camelot,'' ``The Miracle Worker,'' 
``Fiddler on the Roof,'' ``The Diary of Anne Frank'' and ``Bye Bye 
Birdie.''
  David W. Shaner is more than worthy of receiving Congressional 
recognition today on National Teacher Day--a day fitting to honor 
America's classroom heroes. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring 
this remarkable person, and I ask that all Americans thank a teacher 
today.

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