[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E879-E880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  COMMEMORATING NATIONAL TEACHER WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2010

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1312, 
a resolution commemorating National Teacher Week. This week in May 
recognizes the millions of educators who play an integral role in 
shaping the lives of children across the country.
  Teachers are charged with the essential responsibility of preparing 
the youngest generation of Americans to compete and excel in our global 
economy. Every day, they sacrifice for the sake of their students. They 
are relentless and admirable in performing a difficult and sometimes 
thankless job. They walk into their classrooms and face a daunting 
task--ensuring each student learns and succeeds.
  That is why I'm working for our students, teachers and schools, 
especially during these economic hard times. Without federal aid to 
protect education jobs, budget crises at the State and local level will 
result in increased class sizes and massive layoffs. As a Member of 
Congress, it is my job to do what I can to make sure classroom doors 
stay open so students can learn. Last year, I voted for the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (P.L. 111-5), which saved or created over 
400,000 teaching jobs nationally, and nearly 7,000 in Minnesota.

[[Page E880]]

  In addition, I support the creation of a $23 billion Education Jobs 
Fund. Without this injection of federal funding, hundreds of thousands 
of teachers across the country will be laid off, resulting in increased 
class sizes and reduced quality of education. This job-saving provision 
was incorporated in two bills I supported: the Jobs for Main Street 
Act, H.R. 2847, which passed the House last December, and the Local 
Jobs for America Act, H.R. 4812, still pending in the House. I join 
many of my colleagues in urging the Senate to include this fund in 
their next jobs package.
  Each one of us has had a teacher who made a difference in our lives. 
I am honored to commemorate this valuable core of our community. I am 
also pleased to join students and teachers at Maxfield Elementary in 
St. Paul Public School District 625 and all Minnesotans in 
congratulating 6th grade teacher Ryan Vernosh as the 2010 Minnesota 
Teacher of the Year. This recognition is a reflection of his commitment 
and dedication to making a positive impact on students' academic 
success in his classroom. Mr. Vernosh is one of our finest teachers and 
is deserving of this honor.
  For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to thank the teachers who 
have made differences in their lives and honor them by supporting H. 
Res. 1312.

                          ____________________