[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 122 (Thursday, August 6, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S8986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        COMMENDING SALLY HUNTER

 Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
distinguished service of an outstanding Texan, Sally Hunter. Ms. Hunter 
is the recipient of the 2009 Preserve America Elementary History 
Teacher of the Year for Texas. This award recognizes outstanding 
American history teachers from elementary school through high school, 
as well as the crucial importance of American history education. One 
teacher from each State is chosen from thousands of exceptional 
teachers to receive this prestigious award.
  For almost 30 years, Sally Hunter has served the students of Texas as 
an instructor, mentor, and friend. Through recognizing and cultivating 
untapped potential within students, she has inspired countless youth to 
be men and women of character, vision and dedication.
  Ms. Hunter began serving students as an elementary teacher in Austin 
ISD in 1980, and has taught fourth grade since 1995. Since that time, 
she has positively impacted the lives of thousands of students by 
making history personal for them. In keeping with her great love of 
Texas history, Ms. Hunter has traced her very own family back to the 
1850s when they were neighbors of Sam Houston. Ms. Hunter continues to 
encourage and foster the same love of research and history in her own 
students so that they may learn more about their own family history.
  Just 2 days after the fire that destroyed the Governor's Mansion in 
Austin, Ms. Hunter began to write the curriculum This House is Your 
House in order to ensure that students would learn about the richness 
of the mansion's history. Ms. Hunter's program is being used in 
classrooms across Texas, and continues to illustrate the mansion's 
tangible connections to people of the past, while challenging students 
to contribute to restoration and preservation.
  Ms. Hunter has a gift for recognizing the unique needs of students 
and has never failed to commit her time, energy, and resources to 
meeting their needs. Ms. Hunter's love for teaching has made a lasting 
impact on her students, and she exemplifies an outstanding teacher and 
historian.
  Sally Hunter's years of selfless service and unwavering devotion to 
the improvement of her students' lives have earned the respect of 
countless Texans. I thank Sally for her commitment to excellence in 
teaching the future leaders of Texas and send my best wishes for the 
years ahead.

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