[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10622-S10623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE OF SANDRA FELDMAN
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 256, which was submitted
earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 256) honoring the life of Sandra
Feldman.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I extend my deepest sympathies to the
family and friends of Sandy Feldman at her untimely passing. We have
lost a dedicated educator, a proud labor leader, a committed reformer,
and someone my wife Teresa, and I were so proud to have as a friend in
our lives.
From her early days as a civil rights advocate, Sandy had an
unshakeable sense of justice and fairness. Sandy did not just talk
about helping teachers and their students--she actually did it. While
her career spanned more than four decades, Sandy's commitment grew out
of her early work in the civil rights movement. An advocate for civil
rights and social justice, she was an activist in the Freedom Rides and
the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was her firsthand
knowledge of the power of an excellent teacher that led Sandy to a
lifetime of activism. Sandy understood the importance of quality public
education and the wealth of opportunities it can unleash for every
student, regardless of who they are or where they're from.
``Created my future,'' that is what Sandy always said about growing
up in Brooklyn and the public schools and libraries she spent her
childhood in. Sandy's commitment to education was fueled by her
childhood experiences and her dedication to bettering the lives of
students and teachers. Beginning as a second grade teacher, Sandy
quickly became a union activist when she led the teachers at her
elementary school to organize. In 1986, Sandy became president of AFT's
largest affiliate, New York City's United Federation of Teachers, UFT.
During her years as UFT president and then since 1997 when she became
president of the AFT, Sandy earned the respect of Presidents, of her
colleagues, and of many of us in Congress.
Calling early childhood education ``getting it right from the
start,'' Sandy consistently called for greater investment in public
education and a greater emphasis on high standards and increased
accountability. Sandy's focus on early childhood education led her to
introduce a program that would provide extended learning opportunities
for disadvantaged students before and after the normal kindergarten
school year. Within a few years, Sandy's program, Kindergarten-Plus,
had been introduced as Federal legislation, passed or considered in
several State legislatures, and passed into law in at least one State.
My hope is that her tragic passing after a courageous battle with
cancer will inspire all of us to do just what Sandy fought her entire
life for--to make sure we are getting it right from the start and to
stand by our children and our teachers. Sandy was an amazing American.
I will miss her wisdom and her counsel very much. Our hearts go out to
her husband Arthur and their family in this difficult time.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to
reconsider be laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 256) was agreed to.
[[Page S10623]]
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 256
Whereas Sandra Feldman was born Sandra Abramowitz in
October, 1939, to blue-collar parents living in a tenement in
Coney Island, New York;
Whereas Sandra Feldman, while at James Madison High School,
Brooklyn College, and New York University, began a life-long
dedication to education, both in the United States and
abroad;
Whereas Sandra Feldman began her career by teaching fourth
grade at Public School 34 on the Lower East Side of New York
City;
Whereas during her service as union leader at Public School
34, Sandra Feldman became employed by the United Federation
of Teachers in New York City, and was elected president in
1986, after 20 years of service;
Whereas Sandra Feldman's tenure as president of the United
Federation of Teachers was distinguished by her devotion to
better working conditions for the teachers she represented;
Whereas in 1997, the American Federation of Teachers
elected Sandra Feldman to serve as their president, until she
retired 7 years later;
Whereas Sandra Feldman effectively represented the
educators, healthcare professionals, public employees, and
retirees who made up the membership of the American
Federation of Teachers;
Whereas Sandra Feldman was a tireless advocate for public
education, working with President George W. Bush on the No
Child Left Behind Act of 2001 to improve accountability
standards and provide increased resources to schools to help
increasing professional development to better equip teachers
to instruct students, and using research-driven methods to
redesign school programs;
Whereas Sandra Feldman was equally devoted to promoting the
rights of public servants, fighting against discrimination,
raising the nursing shortage into national public awareness,
advocating for smaller class sizes and patient-to-nurse
ratios promoting increased benefits and compensation for
workers, and spreading her message beyond her own membership
by advocating for workers overseas as well;
Whereas Sandra Feldman lent her expertise to both the
national and international labor movements in her capacities
as a member of the AFL-CIO executive council and a vice
president of Education International; and
Whereas Sandra Feldman succumbed on September 18, 2005, to
a difficult struggle against breast cancer at the age of 65:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) mourns the loss of Sandra Feldman, a vibrant and
dedicated public servant;
(2) recognizes the contributions of Sandra Feldman to
public education;
(3) expresses its deepest condolences to those who knew and
loved Sandra Feldman; and
(4) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an
enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of Sandra
Feldman.
____________________