[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 16, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4548-H4549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SUPPORTING AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK

  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 879) supporting the goals and ideals of 
American Education Week, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 879

       Whereas the National Education Association has designated 
     November 14 through November 20, 2010, as the 89th annual 
     observance of American Education Week;
       Whereas public schools are the backbone of the Nation's 
     democracy, providing young people with the tools they need to 
     maintain the Nation's precious values of freedom, civility, 
     and equality;
       Whereas by equipping young people in the United States with 
     both practical skills and broader intellectual abilities, 
     public schools give them hope for, and access to, a 
     productive future;
       Whereas people working in the field of public education, be 
     they teachers, higher education faculty and staff, 
     custodians, substitute educators, bus drivers, clerical 
     workers, food service professionals, workers in skilled 
     trades, health and student service workers, security guards, 
     technical employees, or librarians, work tirelessly to serve 
     children and communities throughout the Nation with care and 
     professionalism; and
       Whereas public schools are community linchpins, bringing 
     together adults, children, educators, volunteers, business 
     leaders, and elected officials in a common enterprise: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of American Education 
     Week; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     National Education Week by reflecting on the positive impact 
     of all those who work together to educate children.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, it is my great privilege to rise in support of H. 
Res. 879. This measure encourages the people of the United States to 
observe National Education Week by reflecting on the positive impact of 
all those who work together to educate America's children. American 
Education Week spotlights the importance of providing every child in 
America with a quality public education from kindergarten through 
college and the need for everyone to do his or her part in making 
public schools great.
  Madam Speaker, America's success in the 21st century will be 
determined by our ability to innovate, foster entrepreneurship, and 
constantly improve the skill base of our workforce. We believe that the 
evolving demands of the global economy make education vital to 
sustainable social and economic success. We also believe that education 
is a fundamental human right and is the single most important 
investment in the future of individuals, communities, the Nation, and 
the world. We in Congress and we as a Nation must make it one of our 
highest priorities.
  H. Res. 879 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from 
Idaho, Representative Walter Minnick, on October 29, 2009. The measure 
was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which 
ordered it reported by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. The measure 
has the support of over 70 Members of the House.
  I thank the gentleman from Idaho for introducing this measure.
  And I'd also like to thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for 
their support for the bill.
  I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 879, supporting the goals and 
ideals of American Education Week.
  Thousands of teachers in our country inspire our young children to 
want to learn and to teach them the vital skills they need both to 
succeed in their future careers and in their lives. We also cannot 
forget about the librarians, the cafeteria staff, the coaches, the 
janitors, the bus drivers, the crossing guards, the administrators, all 
those employees who dedicate their time, effort and talents in order to 
make sure that our kids are enjoying a safe environment and that 
they're welcomed into the classrooms and that they truly learn.
  Teachers simply do not receive the gratitude that they deserve. Most 
people can remember that one teacher who inspired them in some way and 
urged them to explore a subject further. Many of us simply would not 
have the same lives or careers without a special teacher to guide us.
  For me, that was Mr. Kobiashi in the fifth grade, who really inspired 
me to have a true appreciation for the environment and a true 
understanding of our oceans and all the living creatures and just 
inspired me to be a better person. I still remember him to this day and 
can't thank him enough for the service and the thousands of untold 
lives that he had touched along the way.
  Those are special people, and they ought to be recognized for their 
efforts, and while I know that this resolution is important, they truly 
get the satisfaction that they deserve and that they need by inspiring 
those young people throughout our country.
  Yet for all the effort and tireless hours the teachers put in every 
single

[[Page H4549]]

day, we oftentimes forget to thank them formally as well. As a country, 
we need to do more to thank teachers and educators for their hard work 
and service to America's youth.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. 
American Education Week gives us the opportunity to take a week to 
think about and thank all the educators for their work. Hopefully this 
week will also inspire all Americans to think about the work that 
educators do, not just during American Education Week but every day, so 
that we begin to give teachers and educators the thanks and 
appreciation that they truly deserve; and that, in each individual 
community, those people, those parents and the others affected in the 
community, support their teachers, the educators and all the support 
staff, and all the moving parts that make these things happen so they 
can truly feel the love and support of a Nation and make that 
environment the very best environment it can be for our kids to learn.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas, Representative Ruben Hinojosa.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. I rise today in support of H. Res. 879. I want to thank 
the National Education Association, NEA, and its 3.2 million members 
for designating November 15 through November 21 as American Education 
Week.
  I also wish to acknowledge and thank Representative Minnick from 
Idaho for introducing this important resolution, and I thank the 
gentlelady from California for giving me time to speak.
  As subcommittee chairman for Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and 
Competitiveness, I congratulate all of our teachers, higher education 
faculty and staff, custodians, substitute educators, bus drivers, 
clerical workers, food service professionals, workers in skilled 
trades, health and student services workers, security guards, technical 
employees, and librarians for working tirelessly on behalf of our 
children, parents, and communities.
  Our Nation's public schools and colleges and universities continue to 
be the great equalizer and the backbone of American democracy. They 
open the doors of opportunity to millions of graduates every year.
  In order to access family-sustaining jobs in our economy, it is 
imperative that all children, all youth and adults receive a high 
quality education and are equipped with 21st century skills to thrive 
in our Nation's economy.
  As our Nation strives to build a world-class educational system, 
increase graduation rates at all levels, and improve literacy for adult 
learners, we must recognize our teachers, our principals, our faculty, 
and school personnel for their professionalism and extraordinary 
commitment to care for and educate our children, youth, and adults for 
a 21st century workforce.
  I commend President Obama, I commend Chairman Miller and my 
colleagues for making historic investments in education and for 
ensuring accessibility and affordability in higher education with the 
enactment of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
  I urge my colleagues and our Nation to observe American Education 
Week and the invaluable contributions of our Nation's educators. You 
all make a world of difference in the lives of our students and 
families. I thank you.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of our time.
  Ms. WATSON. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. 
Minnick).
  Mr. MINNICK. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California 
and extend her an invitation to come to Idaho anytime.
  Madam Chair, you'd be a good addition.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 879, celebrating 
the goals and ideals of American Education Week. Public schools are the 
backbone of America's democracy and the key to our continuing 
competitiveness in a 21st century global economy.
  In 2010, the 89th American Education Week will take place November 14 
to November 20. Each day will spotlight the importance of providing 
every child in America with a quality public education from pre-K 
through college.
  As Federal legislators, we must continue to support American public 
education and make it the very best in the world. Dedicated American 
educators, teachers, principals, administrators, and their trade 
organizations work tirelessly to serve students and communities 
throughout the Nation with care and professionalism.
  American Education Week celebrates the effort and achievements of 
these dedicated professionals and encourages community, parental and 
elected government official involvement in our public schools.

                              {time}  1400

  As a parent of four children, all of whom benefited from an 
outstanding public school education, I have witnessed firsthand the 
extraordinary lengths to which our hardworking teachers go in helping 
American youth to learn. I applaud the nearly 15,000 teachers and 
thousands of support staff in Idaho and those throughout this great 
Nation who devote their professional lives to ensuring our children are 
equipped with the skills, knowledge and work ethic required to succeed 
in 21st century America.
  Let's all enthusiastically endorse American Education Week. I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution and recognize the efforts and 
sacrifices of America's educators.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
strong support for H. Res. 879 supporting the goals and ideals of 
American Education Week.
  I would like to share a quote from Mr. William Arthur Ward who said 
``The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior 
teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.'' I agree with Mr. 
Ward about the incredible difference a great teacher can make in a 
child's life. It is in the classroom environment that an educator can 
best lay a solid foundation in children's lives by instilling the 
values of determination and diligence within them. Quality education is 
thus an essential element to opening the door to a bright future for 
our country.
  Madam Speaker, in celebrating American Education Week, we stand to 
acknowledge and celebrate the true importance of a fine education. 
During the week of November 14-November 20, I encourage my colleagues 
in Congress and all Americans to please take the time to appreciate the 
people who have made a difference in educating children across the 
nation, especially the local educators in Georgia's 4th District. I 
would like to personally thank the school board members, 
administrators, teachers, librarians, counselors, parents, substitute 
teachers, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and staff members 
who have devoted their lives to educating the youth of my district.
  I truly appreciate the important difference that educators make in 
children's lives through their dedication and tireless effort. I 
encourage my colleagues to join me in expressing their appreciation for 
all educators in the nation during American Education Week by 
supporting this important resolution.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this measure, 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 (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 879, 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.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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