[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 34 (Monday, February 25, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H2060-H2062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENT IN CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ACT
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 276) to direct the Secretary of Education to establish
the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award Program
recognizing excellence exhibited by classified school employees
providing services to students in prekindergarten through high school.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 276
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Recognizing Achievement in
Classified School Employees Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Classified school employees provide valuable service in
the United States.
(2) Classified school employees provide essential services,
such as transportation, facilities maintenance and
operations, food service, safety, and health care.
(3) Classified school employees play a vital role in
providing for the welfare and safety of students.
(4) Classified school employees strive for excellence in
all areas of service to the education community.
(5) Exemplary classified school employees should be
recognized for their outstanding contributions to quality
education in the United States.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Classified school employee.--The term ``classified
school employee'' means an employee of a State or of any
political subdivision of a State, or an employee of a
nonprofit entity, who works in any grade from prekindergarten
through high school in any of the following occupational
specialties:
(A) Paraprofessional, including paraeducator services.
(B) Clerical and administrative services.
(C) Transportation services.
(D) Food and nutrition services.
(E) Custodial and maintenance services.
(F) Security services.
(G) Health and student services.
(H) Technical services.
(I) Skilled trades.
(2) Other definitions.--The terms used in this Act have the
meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
SEC. 4. RECOGNITION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall establish
a national recognition program to be known as the
``Recognizing Inspiring School Employees Award Program'' or
the ``award program''. The purpose of the award program shall
be to recognize and promote the commitment and excellence
exhibited by classified school employees who provide
exemplary service to students in prekindergarten through high
school.
(b) Award.--
(1) In general.--Prior to May 31 of each year (beginning
with the second calendar year that begins after the date of
the enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall select a
classified school employee to receive the Recognizing
Inspiring School Employees Award for the year.
(2) Non-monetary value.--The award and recognition provided
under this Act shall have no monetary value.
(c) Selection Process.--
(1) Nomination process.--
(A) In general.--Not later than November 1 of each year
(beginning with the first calendar year that begins after the
date of the enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall
solicit nominations of classified school employees from the
occupational specialties described in section 3(1) from the
Governor of each State.
(B) Nomination submissions.--In order for individuals in a
State to be eligible to receive recognition under this
section, the
[[Page H2061]]
Governor of the State shall consider nominations submitted by
the following:
(i) Local educational agencies.
(ii) School administrators.
(iii) Professional associations.
(iv) Labor organizations.
(v) Educational service agencies.
(vi) Nonprofit entities.
(vii) Parents and students.
(viii) Any other group determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
(2) Demonstration.--Each Governor of a State who desires
individuals in the State to receive recognition under this
section shall submit the nominations described in paragraph
(1) to the Secretary in such manner as may be required by the
Secretary. Each such nomination shall contain, at a minimum,
demonstrations of excellence in the following areas:
(A) Work performance.
(B) School and community involvement.
(C) Leadership and commitment.
(D) Local support.
(E) Enhancement of classified school employees' image in
the community and schools.
(3) Selection.--The Secretary shall develop uniform
national guidelines for evaluating nominations submitted
under paragraph (2) in order to select the most deserving
nominees based on the demonstrations made in the areas
described in such paragraph.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Nevada (Mrs. Lee) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Nevada.
General Leave
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Nevada?
There was no objection.
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, despite being under the weather, I decided to come down
here to thank my colleague and the dean of our delegation,
Congresswoman Dina Titus, for leading this bipartisan effort.
This legislation would establish the Classified School Employee of
the Year RISE Award Program to recognize the achievements and
contributions of classified school employees to student education in
schools across the country.
Classified school employees are critical members of the education
workforce, making up one out of every three public school employees who
assist students in our Nation's public schools. Classified school
employees provide essential services, such as transportation,
facilities maintenance and operations, food service, safety, and
healthcare.
It is past time that the U.S. Department of Education recognize the
tireless efforts of our Nation's outstanding classified school
employees. The stature of the Secretary of Education in recognizing the
RISE Award will provide national leadership and partnership to
encourage broad participation in the development, selection, and
recognition process.
Classified school employees across the country do extraordinary and
inspirational things in their schools and communities to promote
quality education, foster positive learning environments, and ensure
student success. The RISE Award will recognize the contributions of
classified school employees to student success.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 276. I thank my
colleagues across the aisle, the gentlewoman from Nevada, and also all
those who are original cosponsors in support of this bill.
It is not uncommon for a school employee to make a lasting impression
on a student or even on entire generations of students. Front office
attendants, school custodians, school safety personnel, food service
workers, and others all interface directly with countless students
every day. Many of these school employees make lifelong impacts on the
students who they serve.
Ask any student and they will probably tell you about a particular
school employee who may not have been their teacher, but, nevertheless,
imparted crucial life lessons upon them or inspired joy and confidence
in students who struggled to find either. Schools are made better by
these leaders, and students benefit from their kindness,
thoughtfulness, compassion, and respect that they show to others around
them.
Mr. Speaker, these employees truly go above and beyond the call of
duty to serve American students, and their steadfast devotion deserves
our appreciation and recognition.
H.R. 276, the Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees
Act, will direct the Secretary of Education to establish the
Recognizing Inspiring School Employees Award, otherwise known as the
RISE Award. The RISE Award will be presented each year to a classified
school employee in a nonteaching position in recognition of their
invaluable contribution to the lives of students at the schools that
they serve.
The award will be nonmonetary and will go to employees who
demonstrate excellent work performance, school and community
involvement, leadership, and commitment, and who exemplify the very
best of what it means to be a classified school employee.
H.R. 276 is just one small way to honor the men and women in our
communities who demonstrate to students what it means to be outstanding
citizens and civic leaders. Their tireless efforts deserve our
recognition and thanks. I urge my colleagues in the House to support
this commonsense legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Nevada (Ms. Titus), the lead sponsor of H.R. 276.
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding and for her
support of this bill that creates the RISE Award.
I would like to address the bill before you by telling you the story
of Ms. Virginia Mills. Ms. Mills started her career as a security guard
at William E. Orr Middle School in District One in Las Vegas over two
decades ago.
Almost immediately upon getting to the school, she saw that children
were going to school without backpacks on their shoulders to carry
their books and equipment. She saw athletes trying out for the
basketball team without having the proper shoes on their feet. She saw
children who didn't have enough clothes to make it through the whole
week without changing.
So in her very first month on the job, taking old items from her own
daughter's closet, she started a clothes closet for middle school
students in need. She first enlisted the help of friends, then
teachers, and then community members. Eventually, the closet grew to
include school supplies and even food for children to take home on the
weekends, when they might otherwise go hungry.
Ms. Mills has watched these students grow over the years to become
assemblymen and -women in the legislature, business leaders, and
community organizers. She said: ``Giving a helping hand to these
students has inspired them to become better adults . . . . They now
understand the importance of paying it forward.''
Virginia Mills has improved the lives of so many middle school
students in my district, and she has filled a gap that too many young
people are in danger of falling into. And she wanted me to tell you
that she didn't do it alone.
There are countless people in our schools, including security guards
who do more than keep students safe; they keep them motivated. There
are bus drivers who provide more than just a ride; they offer
friendship. There are counselors and nurses and cafeteria workers who
strive tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of our
students in our schools. Yet, too often, their contributions go
unrecognized.
That is why I introduced this bipartisan legislation to celebrate the
critical role that school staff plays in helping our students learn and
enabling our teachers to teach.
{time} 1730
The contributions of these vital school employees can't really be
measured, but they can and should be recognized.
It is in our children's interest and certainly in our national
interest for the Department of Education to
[[Page H2062]]
present these RISE Awards to people like Virginia Mills who have made
such a profound impact on our Nation's youth. So for those who work so
hard to help our students become the best versions of themselves, I
urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance
of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the story that was shared about the woman
working in that school district. I think we all probably have those
stories as we think fondly back on our school experiences, whether it
was elementary or high school, about individuals who weren't
necessarily teachers but were still very influential in making an
impression and setting a great example to be followed in so many
different ways. That is why I am so pleased to be able to support this
piece of legislation.
I have had the privilege and honor to be in our schools that are
recognized as the Blue Ribbon Schools and Schools to Watch, and those
are wonderful. They are wonderful not just because of what has been
accomplished for those kids, but they do become an inspiration to other
schools to strive for and to achieve.
What this piece of legislation does, Mr. Speaker, is to take that
down to the staff level, because we know that the most valuable
resource and asset that we have in our schools are people--not
necessarily the classroom or anything that is physical like that, but
it is the teachers, the faculty, and the staff. Being able to recognize
the staff who work so hard each and every day there who are not
necessarily teachers is a great opportunity.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I certainly am very excited about supporting
this piece of legislation, H.R. 276. I urge my colleagues to vote
``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
In closing, I would like to thank Representative Titus for her
leadership in bringing forth this bipartisan piece of legislation.
When it comes to delivering the promise of a great public school for
every child, it is a team effort. Classified employees keep the lights
on, students fed, and learning environments safe and welcoming.
This past year, we have seen unprecedented activism from teachers and
school staff demanding better support for public schools across the
country. While the media often speaks first about the contributions and
working conditions for classroom teachers, it is important to recognize
that behind every teacher is an army of classified school employees.
Passing this bill to recognize the contributions of classified school
employees is an important first step, but I urge this body to do more.
We must come together and continue to work across the aisle to invest
in public education. We must invest in the staff who support our public
schools and in students who count on public schools to reach their
academic potential.
Mr. Speaker, I hope that swift passage of H.R. 276 is just the
beginning, and I look forward to future action in this Chamber in
support of public schools. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Nevada (Mrs. Lee) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 276.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________