[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 74 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H4523-H4524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NATIONAL CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 376) recognizing annually a National Classified 
School Employee of the Year and honoring the valuable contributions of 
Classified School Employees in the United States.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 376

       Whereas classified school employees provide valuable 
     service to America's public schools and community colleges;
       Whereas classified school employees contribute to the 
     establishment and promotion of a positive instructional 
     environment as paraeducators and library aides;
       Whereas classified school employees provide other essential 
     educational services such as transportation, facilities 
     maintenance and operations, food and support services, and 
     health care;
       Whereas classified school employees play a vital role in 
     providing for the welfare and safety of America's school 
     children and students;
       Whereas classified school employees strive for excellence 
     in all areas relative to the education community; and
       Whereas in order that classified school employees are 
     acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to quality 
     education across America, the National Classified School 
     Employee of the Year is recognized: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That The House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the recognition of the National Classified 
     School Employee of the Year and urges the United States 
     Department of Education, all States, State education 
     agencies, local education agencies, community colleges, and 
     members of the public to join in this observance;
       (2) congratulates the National Classified School Employee 
     of the Year; and
       (3) congratulates all classified school employees across 
     the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education, and 
     for the key role they play in promoting and ensuring student 
     achievement, student safety and well-being.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Woolsey) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David 
Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on H. Res. 376, the resolution now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I would 
consume.
  I would like to thank Chairman Miller and the committee staff for 
helping move this bill so quickly and the gentleman from Tennessee for 
being here with me today.
  We often recognize teachers for their hard work, for their dedication 
to our children. In fact, we need to do more of this. Teachers are very 
important to ensuring that our children are learning.
  However, there has been far too little recognition for the school 
support personnel, those who help schools run smoothly, the classified 
school employees. Teachers can't teach without support of classified 
school employees. This includes instructional assistants, clerical 
staffs, school bus drivers, food services employees, maintenance, 
security and others who ensure a safe and healthy school day every day 
for our children.
  Imagine a school day without this support: without bus drivers, how 
would our children get to school? Without janitors, who will ensure 
their classrooms, cafeteria and bathrooms are clean? Without food 
service personnel, who will serve their food, who will order their 
food? Without a school nurse, where will children go if they are not 
feeling well or they are needing medication? Without maintenance 
personnel, what would happen if something broke or if the school is too 
hot or too cold? Without office and clerical staff, who will ensure 
that the proper person picks up a child? And without security 
personnel, who will make sure our schools are safe? These 
responsibilities need to be met in order for our students to be able to 
do what they come to school to do: learn.
  What do our teachers come to school for? To teach. These and many 
more tasks would not be possible without these important school 
employees.

                              {time}  1745

  That is why I introduced this resolution with Chairman Miller and 
Representative Hare, to recognize the many contributions classified 
school employees make to our children's school day. Without the work of 
these valuable employees, schools would be unable to function.
  Today, we recognize the work of the classified school employee and 
thank them for their hard work in helping ensure that our schools run 
smoothly. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the efforts of 
our classified school employees and thanking them for all they do to 
make certain our children are able to learn and teachers are able to 
teach in a safe and healthy environment.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 376, which 
will recognize annually a National Classified School Employee of the 
Year and the valuable contributions of classified school employees.
  I would like to thank my colleague from California (Ms. Woolsey) for 
her leadership on this issue and for introducing the resolution we are 
considering today.
  Like many schools across the country and in my district, the 
education of our Nation's children is a team effort. Often, when 
education is discussed, we think of teachers and administrators. 
However, classified school employees, school bus drivers, food service 
workers, clerical and administrative staff, para-educators, and 
facilities and maintenance workers protect and nurture children as 
well.
  Classified school employees are usually the first of the school staff 
workers the children see when they start their day and the last ones 
they see when they go home. They are the caretakers of our schools and 
community colleges. School bus drivers carry the most precious cargo, 
our children. Parents want the peace of mind that comes from entrusting 
the person behind the wheel in their children's school bus.
  Getting kids to and from schools safely and on schedule makes bus 
drivers, mechanics, and other transportation personnel an integral part 
of our schools and of our communities. Classified employees in the 
office, clerical and administrative staff, maintain attendance records, 
answer the phones, and interact with parents and school officials. 
School nurses help children with scrapes and cuts, assist with 
medications, and help keep accurate records of immunizations and 
students' medical history. All of these school employees are vital to 
the success of our schools.
  Without skilled facilities and maintenance workers, our children 
would not have safe and comfortable places to learn. A lot of work is 
required to maintain a school community and keep it running smoothly. 
Custodians keep the schools clean. Groundskeepers keep the grounds safe 
for sports and other recreational activities. And facilities workers 
foresee and troubleshoot problems in school buildings. These classified 
workers provide a valuable service to our schools.
  Many times the meal students receive at school is the best or only 
meal they get each day. Food service workers play a significant role in 
the educational process by providing nutritious meals for children. 
Research shows that good nutrition enables a student to meet their 
educational and physical potential.
  Para-educators, librarians and other instructional assistants, 
support and

[[Page H4524]]

enhance the work of teachers in all components of the educational 
process. The increased use of para-professional staff in education 
across the United States has been well documented, as has the change in 
their role from largely clerical to instructional duties. These 
professionals play a key role in ensuring student achievement.
  Together, with certified school employees, teachers, and 
administrators, classified school employees work hard to provide 
productive, safe and stable environments for our children that are 
conducive to learning. Classified school employees strive for 
excellence in all areas relative to the educational community.
  For that, I ask that we annually recognize a National Classified 
School Employee of the Year and honor the invaluable contributions of 
all classified school employees for their tireless commitment to the 
academic success, safety and well-being of America's children, and I 
urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 376.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, our schoolchildren couldn't attend school 
and teachers couldn't teach without the efforts of these valuable 
school personnel.
  Personnel like Al Hart, District Information Services Coordinator for 
Reed School District in southern Marin County. Mr. Hart was recognized 
this year as the Marin County classified school employee of the year. 
His hard work and that of other school employees in the rest of the 6th 
district of California, and the rest of the country should be 
recognized.
  Classified school employees work with teachers and administrators to 
ensure that our schools are safe and healthy places. Their 
contributions are invaluable and can be recognized today and every day.
  That's why I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 376 
to thank classified school employees for their work and to recognize 
them for their efforts.
  Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my 
time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 376.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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