[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 73 (Monday, May 5, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H3042-H3043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         SENSE OF HOUSE OF ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL TEACHER DAY

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 952) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives that there should be established a National Teacher Day 
to honor and celebrate teachers in the United States.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 952

       Whereas the education of children in the United States is 
     the foundation of the future success of the United States;
       Whereas education is critical for the creation of an 
     innovative workforce and for increasing the global 
     competitiveness of the United States;
       Whereas teachers help students cultivate the knowledge and 
     principles necessary to be successful in life;
       Whereas teachers are held to high expectations, while often 
     receiving little compensation;
       Whereas teachers help instill civic responsibility among 
     students in the United States;
       Whereas teachers deserve annual national recognition for 
     their knowledge, selfless dedication to their profession, 
     compassion, and sacrifice; and
       Whereas the Tuesday of the first full week of May of each 
     year is an appropriate day for the establishment of National 
     Teacher Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that--
       (1) there should be established a National Teacher Day to 
     honor and celebrate teachers; and
       (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling on 
     the people of the United States to observe such a day with 
     appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?

[[Page H3043]]

  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield as much 
time as my friend from Florida (Mr. Klein) may consume.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res 
952, legislation calling for the establishment of a National Teacher 
Day. Few professionals touch as many lives as teachers do. They provide 
us with the knowledge and skills that we need to succeed in life, and 
their compassion, sacrifice, and dedication to their profession 
deserves national recognition.
  As the son of an elementary school teacher, I was proud to introduce 
this resolution calling for the establishment of a national day of 
recognition for our Nation's teachers. My mother and so many other 
teachers across the country spend their lives working to inspire 
children and open their minds to new ideas so that they can grow up to 
be successful in whatever path they choose.
  I am sure that each and every one of our colleagues can identify a 
teacher from their past who left a significant mark on their lives. I 
know that I would not be here where I am today without the motivation 
and encouragement of teachers from my past who challenged me to aspire 
to greater things and pursue my dreams of public service.
  For me, the teacher who provided the greatest impact of my life is 
Dr. Leatrice Rabinsky, a teacher at Cleveland Heights High School in 
Ohio. She was one of the pioneers of Holocaust education. Her teaching 
and experience left an indelible mark on me and led me to introduce 
legislation, as a State Senator in Florida, requiring the teaching of 
the Holocaust in all of Florida's public schools. Florida was one of 
the first States to pass and implement this policy which is now 
considered a model for Holocaust education across this country, and I 
attribute that effort to Dr. Leatrice Rabinsky.
  I believe it is important to recognize the hard work of our Nation's 
teachers who prepare our students to build a stronger America. The 
education of our children is critical to the success of our country, 
and despite limited compensation, in many cases, and increasingly high 
expectations, our teachers rise to the challenge each and every day.
  In Florida, the average teacher earns about $43,000 per year, and 
nationally, teacher salary growth continues to lag behind inflation. 
This day of recognition is critical for bringing national attention to 
the pressing need to invest more in our teachers and our public 
schools. By providing teachers with the support, professional 
development, and compensation they deserve, we will retain more 
teachers in the profession and see significant gains in our public 
schools. No longer can we ask our teachers to increase their workload 
and raise academic achievement without providing them with the 
resources they need to do so.
  Teachers are a critical component to our increasing global 
competitiveness, and once again establishing our country as a world 
leader in the global economy, teachers will play a central role.
  I'm proud to have voted for the passage of legislation that invests 
in our Nation's math and science teachers this year providing roughly 
25,000 teachers with assistance in pursuing graduate degrees, summer 
training, and other types of professional development. I am confident 
that this is just the beginning of new Federal support investing in 
science, technology, engineering, and math education and providing 
incentives to teachers who wish to engage in these specialty areas.
  Our teachers are charged with a very difficult task as the pressure 
continues to grow across the country to increase student achievement. 
However, they have taken on the challenge with incredible perseverance 
and determination, and their dedication to our students and their 
profession deserves thanks and recognition.
  I'm hopeful with the passage of this resolution, every American will 
take time from their day to acknowledge the teachers in their lives, 
both past and present, for their commitment to this important 
profession.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank my distinguished colleague, 
Congressman Roskam, for joining me in introducing this legislation, and 
I thank the overwhelming number of Members who have joined me in 
support of the establishment of a National Teacher Day.
  I urge passage of this important legislation.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, we've heard from the Democratic sponsor of 
the bill. I would like to yield to the Republican sponsor of the bill, 
Mr. Roskam, who is from Illinois and close to Chicago, such time as he 
may consume.

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