[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 21, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H11533-H11535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1100
                       NATIONAL PRINCIPALS MONTH

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 811) expressing support for 
designation of October 2009 as ``National Principals Month,'' as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 811

       Whereas the National Association of Elementary School 
     Principals and the National Association of Secondary School 
     Principals have declared the month of October 2009 as 
     ``National Principals Month'';
       Whereas school leaders are expected to be educational 
     visionaries, instructional leaders, assessment experts, 
     disciplinarians, community builders, public relations 
     experts, budget analysts, facility managers, special programs 
     administrators, and guardians of various legal, contractual, 
     and policy mandates and initiatives as well as being 
     entrusted with our young people, our most valuable resource;
       Whereas principals set the academic tone for their schools 
     and work collaboratively with teachers to develop and 
     maintain high curriculum standards, develop mission 
     statements, and set performance goals and objectives;
       Whereas the vision, dedication, and determination of a 
     principal provides the mobilizing force behind any school 
     reform effort;
       Whereas leadership is second only to classroom instruction 
     among all school-related factors that contribute to what 
     students learn at school, according to research conducted by 
     the Wallace Foundation;
       Whereas the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 
     approximately 1 in 3 education administrators works more than 
     40 hours a week and often works an additional 15-20 hours 
     each week supervising school activities at night and on 
     weekends;
       Whereas the NAESP National Distinguished Principals program 
     honors exemplary elementary and middle level public, private, 
     and independent school leaders as well as leaders from the 
     U.S. Department of Defense Schools and the U.S. Department of 
     State Overseas Schools, for outstanding leadership for 
     student learning and the profession;
       Whereas the MetLife-NASSP Principal of the Year program 
     began in 1993 as a means to recognize outstanding middle 
     level and high school principals who have succeeded in 
     providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as 
     well as their exemplary contributions to the profession;
       Whereas the celebration of ``National Principals Month'' 
     would honor elementary, middle level, and high school 
     principals and recognize the importance of school leadership 
     in ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality 
     education; and
       Whereas the month of October 2009 would be an appropriate 
     month to designate as ``National Principals Month'': Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors and recognizes the contribution of school 
     principals to the success of students in our Nation's 
     elementary and secondary schools; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     ``National Principals Month'' with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities that promote awareness of school leadership in 
     ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality 
     education.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days 
during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert 
extraneous material on House Resolution 811 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 811, which 
recognizes the designation of this month, October 2009, as National 
Principals Month.
  This bipartisan resolution introduced by myself and Congressman Todd 
Platts honors and supports the critical role that school leaders play 
in the lives of our students, because one of the principal reasons 
behind a school's success is often its strong principal. This is true 
every day in schools all across our country.
  At San Diego High School of International Studies in my district, 
Principal Karen Wroblewski has been the force behind the school's high 
ranking and Newsweek's top 100 high schools for 3 years running. 
Families have been known to camp in Karen's office to garner a spot in 
the incoming class. This success is only bolstered by the fact that her 
school is in a historically low-performing educational area and that 
the student body is one of the most diverse in our city. 
Understandably,

[[Page H11534]]

Karen was named the 2009 National Magnet Principal of the Year.
  Meanwhile, on the opposite side of our country, in Delaware, 
Principal Stephanie Smith is a similar driving energy behind Seaford 
Middle School. As a result of Seaford's emphasis on challenging 
coursework and collaboration with her staff, the State chamber of 
commerce recognized the school with its Superstars in Education award, 
and it is a 2009 MetLife National Association of School Principals 
breakthrough school.
  These women are prime examples of how elementary, middle and high 
school principals provide the vision, the dedication and the mobilizing 
power for successful schools. School leaders set the academic tone, and 
they keep teachers involved to develop performance goals and 
objectives. Behind every one of their efforts is the genuine intent to 
improve student achievement.
  Unlike many other careers, principals are expected to fill a variety 
of roles which are each complex in their own right. On any given day, 
they are likely to be everything from educational visionary, to 
community builder, to budget analyst, to facility manager, to 
counselor. This means that principals often work long hours. In fact, 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that one in three principals 
works far more than 40 hours per week, and they often work many 
additional hours supervising school activities at night and on 
weekends. Just because students go home at the end of the day or at the 
end of the school term does not mean that the work of a principal 
stops. In fact, principals could give our congressional schedule quite 
a run for its money.
  During my time on the San Diego School Board, I worked with many of 
these remarkable individuals. I witnessed how their commitment and 
energy can inspire an entire school from the youngest student to the 
most senior teacher. In the end, it is principals who are responsible 
for creating and managing the environment where our students learn and 
grow.
  So this month, let's honor this important role which they dedicate 
themselves to all year round.
  I would also like to thank the National Association of Elementary 
School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School 
Principals for their work to designate October 2009 as National 
Principals Month.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 811, 
expressing support for the designation of October 2009 as National 
Principals Month.
  The role of principals has been redefined in the 21st century. Gone 
are the days when principals spent most of their time with bus 
schedules, fire drills and general curriculum. Today's school leaders 
must keep abreast of State and Federal goals, the latest technologies 
and teaching practices, as well as learning to use data to spot gaps in 
learning among all students. It should come as no surprise that 
principals, like other organizational leaders, set the tone for high 
achievement in their schools.
  Regardless of location, racial or socioeconomic demographics, 
communities demand that principals lead the instructional and academic 
performances in their schools. Leadership is an important factor in the 
creation of good schools. Influenced by the academic standards 
movement, which focuses on equity and instruction, school leaders are 
thinking anew about how to define quality in our schools and about how 
to create and manage the environments that support them.
  Principals lead schools, and they tie the daily operations to school 
and student learning goals that are set by parents, staff, and the 
community. They also set high expectations for the academic and social 
development of all students, teachers and staff; and they ensure the 
resources to meet these high standards.
  Principals are also charged with hiring and retaining high-quality 
teachers and with holding them responsible for student learning. 
Today's school leadership also connects professional development to 
school learning goals, and it provides opportunities for teachers to 
work, plan, and to think together.
  Principals are among the hardest working, yet often the least 
recognized, individuals in education. These unsung heroes deserve to be 
recognized for the essential role they play in preparing today's 
students for the challenges of tomorrow, and I ask my colleagues to 
support this resolution.
  I also would like to comment about my principal at Clarksville High 
School, Mr. Thompson, who is a retired sergeant in the Marine Corps. He 
had a hard time keeping us in between the white lines. I think part of 
my success today is due to Mr. Thompson, my principal, who kept a lot 
of young boys out of trouble and who pointed them in the right 
direction education-wise. Many principals across this Nation and 
probably most of us in this room could acknowledge that.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I remember a school in my 
district that I visited often as a school board member and then later 
in the State legislature. It was kind of a tough school, really; and I 
used to go into the principal's room or into the teachers' lounge, and 
people were always grumbling. Then a new principal came to town, and 
she hired a number of new teachers. A number of teachers had actually 
left the school because she came in. I think she established early that 
she was going to have some very high standards. Some people left. 
Within a year, the tone at that school was turned around so 
dramatically.
  I remember walking into the office one day, and they had pictures of 
all the teachers and their families on the wall so that parents, when 
they came in, could relate not just to the teachers, but they could 
know the teachers' families. Everybody seemed to be part of a family; 
and that happened because of the vision, because of the enthusiasm and, 
really, because of the skill of that principal. That school now 
continues to do very, very well. It has established itself in the 
community so differently than what I really remember it to be for a 
number of years.
  So we know that principals truly make a difference. When they can 
translate their desire to see high achievement and high expectations to 
everybody on the staff and in the whole community, it really does 
matter to young people. That's what we need. Tremendous principals 
often, I guess, consider themselves to be pretty ordinary folks, but 
they do extraordinary things.
  I'm just delighted to be part of this resolution, and I am very happy 
that we're able to talk about it today on the floor, and I thank my 
colleague for that as well.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I concur with the gentlewoman, and 
I would urge the passage of this resolution; and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 811, a 
resolution recognizing the month of October as ``National Principals 
Month.'' My congressional district in El Paso, Texas is fortunate to 
have outstanding principals in our schools who work tirelessly every 
day encouraging our teachers and students, and also serving as role 
models in our community. These dedicated educators are constantly 
challenging students and teachers to achieve high academic goals.
  Principals wear many hats in their daily schedule. As educational 
leaders, principals set the academic tone at their schools and guide 
their staff and students with a shared vision for the future by 
developing and maintaining high curriculum standards and setting 
performance goals and objectives. As administrators, they handle public 
relations duties, analyze and manage their schools' budgets, and strive 
to maintain a high level of both student and staff morale. As campus 
leaders and mentors, they provide support at school sporting events, 
community service projects, fundraising activities, and other school 
functions.
  Principals are our educational system's ultimate multi-taskers and, 
along with teachers, deserve to be recognized for their work, 
dedication, and passion on behalf of our children. There are 
approximately 250 elementary, middle, and high school principals in my 
district in El Paso. I am proud to say that my daughter, Dr. Monica 
Reyes, is one of those, and I applaud her and all of the principals in 
my district for their outstanding work. These leaders work with a sense 
of urgency to raise our schools' educational levels to new heights each 
day by providing our students and teachers with the guidance and 
leadership necessary to ensure success.
  Both principals and teachers play a significant role in encouraging 
our students to stay

[[Page H11535]]

in school and pursue higher education, both which are crucial to the 
future strength and prosperity of our nation. As a Member of Congress, 
promoting student advancement and acknowledging the efforts of our 
teachers and principals has always been a priority of mine.
  Mr. Speaker, ``National Principals Month'' is a great opportunity to 
acknowledge the importance of principals and promote educational 
success and leadership in our schools, and I am proud to voice my 
support for this resolution.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I urge support and the passage 
of House Resolution 811, recognizing National Principals Month; and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 811, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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