[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 7, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL TEACHER'S APPRECIATION DAY

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2013

  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on National Teacher's 
Appreciation Day, to recognize and honor the teachers of America. Year 
in and year out, they dedicate their lives to educating our children 
and helping them to succeed both in and out of the classroom. They not 
only teach us to read and write, but for many of us, it is a teacher 
who first shows us that we can achieve whatever we put our minds to; 
they tell us that anything is possible, that it is okay to dream. The 
confidence and curiosity that teachers instill in their students are 
just as important as the traditional subjects they teach; it is these 
life lessons that will resonate with our children well into adulthood.
  In my own experience, the teacher who brought these truths home to me 
was Mr. Gowenlock. Mr. Gowenlock was my high school geometry teacher as 
well as one of my football coaches. He made sure I knew that I had the 
ability to be a great man, and the only thing that would get in the way 
was my own doubt. He was one of the first to fully believe in me, and 
that is a gift that has made it possible for me to be where I am today.
  I hope that students and parents everywhere will join with me in 
recognizing the importance and value of good teachers. Without them, 
America would not be the beacon of hope that it is today. We owe them 
our gratitude and our respect. I have fought for teachers in the past, 
with legislation such as the Teacher Tax Relief Act, and I will 
continue to fight for them. Teachers must have the tools and support 
they need to ensure our children receive the best education possible 
for they will be the ones shaping the future of this great nation. 
Thank you.

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