[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 65 (Thursday, May 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING OUR NATION'S TEACHERS FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

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                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2013

  Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise for National Teacher 
Appreciation Day. I would like to thank Ms. Lillian Anderson who gave 
me my first exposure to government with a 4th grade class history 
project on the State of Illinois at Ben Franklin School in Glen Ellyn. 
I still have the folder with the assignment featured in my district 
office to remind me of why I entered public service. Unfortunately, Ms. 
Anderson passed away a few years ago but I am reminded of her 
invaluable contributions to the community every time I am back home.
  We often take our teachers for granted. We drop our children off at 
school or send them to the bus stop and pick them up at the end of the 
day, but the job of our nation's teachers is hardly 9-5. It starts well 
before the children arrive and continues long after they leave.
  We forget that the job involves countless hours of preparation; 
weekends spent shopping for supplies, and most importantly working with 
our students to help them become the next generation of authors, 
doctors, young professionals, and yes, even teachers.
  I encourage everyone to take time at their next parent teacher 
conference or other interaction with you children's teacher to take a 
moment and thank them for all the hard work they are doing to prepare 
the next generation.

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