[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 8, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S5712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       2007 NATIONAL TEACHER DAY

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today I recognize May 8, 2007 as 
National Teacher Day.
  Teachers play a vital role in our society. They are a driving force 
in the course this great Nation takes. The molding of young minds is a 
daunting task. Yet teachers willingly accept the challenge with open 
arms. Being a former math teacher, I know the great challenges teachers 
face every day. Teachers often have thankless jobs, getting little 
appreciation for the myriad of tasks they do on a daily basis. They tie 
shoes, wipe noses, dab tears, and provide comfort all without asking 
for anything in return. Teachers are disciplinarians, educators, and 
friends. Their job is truly invaluable and priceless. Teachers give 
each student a toolbox full of essential tools to use, training them 
for many of life's situations that might come their way. These tools 
give students the confidence to face each day prepared for living.
  Historian Henry Adams said, ``A teacher affects eternity; he can 
never tell where his influence stops.'' I couldn't agree more. 
Educators all over the country teach and train America's next 
generation. Students are given direction and guidance for their futures 
from their teachers. Teachers can be very influential in the lives of 
their students, and thus influence generations of people to come.
  Let me take this opportunity to recognize Ms. Tamara Tiong for her 
recent nomination for the National Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Tiong 
is a special education teacher at Dulce Elementary School in Dulce, NM, 
and has taught for 8 years. She is a shining example of what all 
teachers strive to be: challenging, encouraging, and compassionate. I 
thank Ms. Tiong today for her great service and wish her many more 
years of teaching and training America's youth.
  Join me today in saying thank you to our teachers for all they do. 
They deserve our thanks and support. Thank you, teachers, for every 
life you have touched and every life you will touch in the future.

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