[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 9, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH AMERICA'S TEACHERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Gallego) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of millions of our 
Nation's teachers who fight for our children's future every single day.
  Last year, tens of thousands of educators from Arizona helped lead 
the Nation, walking out of their classrooms to protest cuts to schools 
and funding. They told me about outdated textbooks, overcrowded 
classrooms, and school supplies so limited that kids were taking tests 
with crayons.
  They succeeded in securing much-needed pay raises for teachers. But 
the Arizona Legislature refused to provide sufficient money for support 
staff, classroom supplies, and other resources they need to effectively 
do their jobs. So, today, Arizona teachers and I are wearing red, 
because the fight to ensure that every child receives a quality 
education is not over.
  Our students deserve better. They deserve fully funded schools with 
state-of-the-art classrooms to ensure our kids have the skills they 
need to succeed in a quickly changing world. They deserve the 
challenges and opportunities that come from taking advanced placement 
classes that promote academic achievement and extracurricular 
activities to stimulate creativity and a passion for lifelong learning. 
They deserve teachers, aides, administrative staff, and bus drivers who 
are paid a fair and living wage.
  Instead, the State continues to shortchange our children by asking 
educators to do more with less.
  Madam Speaker, I know firsthand the importance of properly funding 
the public school system. I am a product of it. I would not have the 
honor to stand here today and advocate for teachers on the floor of the 
House of Representatives if it wasn't for the help and advice and 
mentorship of one of my own high school teachers, Mr. Gustafson--or Mr. 
G, as I called him--of Evergreen Park Community High School. He is just 
one example of the many passionate, selfless educators who inspire 
students every day.
  That is why I stand today, tomorrow, and every day in solidarity with 
America's teachers demanding more resources for educators and the young 
people that they have dedicated their lives to.
  Our Nation's future depends on it.

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