[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 116 (Thursday, July 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING MR. CHRISTOPHER CAVANAUGH, RECIPIENT OF THE PLAINFIELD 
         COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION 2008 TEACHER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE BUYER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2007

  Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, the educators of our country's youth are 
the trusted stewards of our country's future, and it is important to 
recognize those outstanding and irreplaceable teachers who go above and 
beyond serving our communities. Mr. Christopher Cavanaugh, of 
Plainfield, Indiana, is one such estimable teacher. He is a profound 
role model for aspiring teachers and good citizens.
  Mr. Cavanaugh has been teaching students and setting standards of 
excellence at Plainfield High School for 17 years. On June 14, 2007, he 
was recognized by the Plainfield Community School Corporation as the 
2008 Teacher of the Year for his work teaching senior government, 
Cultural Heritage of the American People, and We the People . . . the 
Citizen and the Constitution. His exceptional work highlights the vital 
role the American people play in their Government, teaching students 
not only the principle of their rights, but the honor of their 
responsibilities.
  Last year, Mr. Cavanaugh received the inaugural American Civics 
Teacher Award, a national award sponsored by the National Education 
Association, the Center for Civic Education, and the Center on Congress 
at Indiana University. When he traveled to Washington, DC, to receive 
this distinguished honor, I had the distinguished pleasure of meeting 
with him in my office to discuss his enthusiasm for teaching American 
civics and his dedicated service to the community. It was immediately 
clear that his priorities include not only endowing his students with 
knowledge, but motivating them to act on what they learn by being 
responsible citizens and honoring the ideals of democracy by being 
lifelong participants in their Government.
  Outside the classroom, Mr. Cavanaugh continues to encourage and 
empower students as the coach of Plainfield's swimming and diving team. 
His devotion and impetus have earned him recognition from the Indiana 
High School Athletic Association and he has received the Swimming and 
Diving Coach of the Year award eight times.
  It is an honor and a privilege to have Mr. Cavanaugh inspire the 
hearts and minds of young Hoosiers. His work honors democracy and helps 
to safeguard our country's future. By invigorating today's youth with 
the power and passion of the free world, Mr. Cavanaugh does his part to 
protect liberty for generations to come. I congratulate my cousin on 
his vision, his dedication, and his success. Chris, I am proud of you.

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