[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 91 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1418-E1419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING DONNA REGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 2005

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the remarkable 
achievements of Donna Regan, a high school teacher from New Jersey.
  Today, The Creative Coalition and The American Federation of Teachers 
honor Ms. Regan with a 2005 Spotlight Award for Teaching Excellence.
  Ms. Regan comes to Washington, D.C., to accept her award with one of 
her former students, actor and co-president of The Creative Coalition, 
Joe Pantoliano. Mr. Pantoliano was a student in Ms. Regan's 12th grade 
English class at Cliffside Park High School in Cliffside Park, New 
Jersey, a public school that serves over 1,000 students. Ms. Regan's 
teaching inspired Mr. Pantoliano, both as a student and later as he 
pursued his career in acting.
  I join Mr. Pantoliano as well as Ms. Regan's family, friends, and 
colleagues in congratulating her today on her award and on her many 
years of enthusiastic teaching.
  The Creative Coalition is the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan, social 
and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment 
community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative 
community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating and 
mobilizing its members on issues of public importance, primarily public 
education, the First Amendment, arts advocacy, and keeping film and 
television jobs in America. Headquartered in New York City, The 
Creative Coalition also has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles 
and San Francisco.

[[Page E1419]]

  The Creative Coalition's partner in presenting this award, The 
American Federation of Teachers, represents 1.3 million teachers, 
paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel, higher education 
faculty and staff, healthcare workers, and state and local government 
employees.
  I commend both of these organizations for their dedication to the 
promotion of public schools. Public education is one of the most 
important foundations of this country, bringing together children from 
all walks of life and giving them the tools they need to succeed in the 
future. As such, I applaud The Creative Coalition and The American 
Federation of Teachers for their support of public schools and for 
honoring the achievements of educators like Ms. Regan.

                          ____________________