[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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