[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S3729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NATIONAL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER RECOGNITION WEEK

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 544 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. 544) designating May 5 through 9, 
     2008, as National Substitute Teacher Recognition Week.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of the 7th 
Annual ``National Substitute Teacher Recognition Week,'' which is 
celebrated in conjunction with Teacher Appreciation Week. This is a 
national effort to recognize the approximately 270,000 men and women 
that fill in for absent permanent teachers every day in the United 
States.
  According to research performed by the Substitute Teaching 
Institute--STI--at Utah State University, as much as 1 full year of a 
child's elementary and secondary education is taught by substitute 
teachers. More often than not, these are talented individuals who are 
willing to take on the challenge of providing quality education when 
permanent teachers are out of the classroom. I believe it is only 
appropriate that we do something to recognize the efforts of these 
members of our communities who fill a void in the education of our 
children and play a vital role in maintaining continuity of instruction 
and a positive learning environment for students throughout our 
country.
  I would also like to recognize and commend the work and dedication of 
the Substitute Teaching Institute. Established in 1995, STI provides 
substitute teachers with training materials to improve the quality of 
their contribution to classroom activities. Over the last 12 years, STI 
has evolved and grown to become one of our Nation's leaders in the 
effort to improve substitute teaching, providing training materials and 
services along with recruitment and retention assistance to school 
districts and substitute teachers around the world. Having expanded its 
work over the years, the STI continually works to revolutionize the 
role of substitute teachers into opportunities for educational 
excellence.
  I am joined by Senators Clinton and Cochran in submitting a 
resolution designating May 5-9, 2008 as National Substitute Teacher 
Recognition Week, and I urge all my colleagues to lend their support.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 544) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 544

       Whereas, on average, as much as 1 full year of a child's 
     elementary and secondary education is taught by substitute 
     teachers;
       Whereas, on any given day in the United States, more than 
     270,000 classes are taught by substitute teachers;
       Whereas formal training of substitute teachers has been 
     shown to improve the quality of education, lower school 
     district liability, reduce the number of student and faculty 
     complaints, and increase retention rates of substitute 
     teachers;
       Whereas a strong, effective system of education for all 
     children and youth is essential to our Nation's continued 
     strength and prosperity;
       Whereas much of a child's growth and progress can be 
     attributed to the efforts of dedicated teachers and 
     substitute teachers who are entrusted with the child's 
     educational development;
       Whereas substitute teachers play a vital role in 
     maintaining continuity of instruction and a positive learning 
     environment in the absence of a permanent classroom teacher; 
     and
       Whereas substitute teachers should be recognized for their 
     dedication and commitment: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 5 through 9, 2008, as the 7th annual 
     National Substitute Teacher Recognition Week;
       (2) recognizes the important and vital role substitute 
     teachers play in a child's education; and
       (3) encourages educational institutions to observe the week 
     with appropriate events and activities.

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