[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. ____________________