[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 182 (Thursday, November 14, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 426--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT MEMBERS 
OF CONGRESS SHOULD SUBSTITUTE TEACH AT LEAST 1 DAY PER YEAR IN A PUBLIC 
  SCHOOL TO GAIN FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE ON HOW TO ADDRESS THE PREVAILING 
CHALLENGES FACING EDUCATORS AND HOW TO REMOVE OBSTACLES TO LEARNING FOR 
                                STUDENTS

  Mr. KENNEDY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 426

       Whereas teachers play a critical role in shaping the minds 
     and lives of children;
       Whereas there are projected to be 3,200,000 full-time 
     public school teachers in 2020;
       Whereas approximately 200,000 teachers leave the profession 
     each year;
       Whereas in the 115th Congress, there were more than 2 times 
     as many Members of Congress that had backgrounds in public 
     service or politics than Members of Congress that had 
     backgrounds in education; and
       Whereas Members of Congress should be on the ground in 
     public schools to understand the challenges that educators 
     and students face, including challenges relating to--
       (1) a growing shortage of teachers;
       (2) issues of teacher pay;
       (3) a lack of resources in both urban and rural areas;
       (4) teacher preparedness;
       (5) chronic absenteeism among students;
       (6) poverty; and
       (7) parental involvement: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the contributions of teachers to the United 
     States;
       (2) thanks teachers for their service; and
       (3) recommends that each Member of Congress spend at least 
     1 day per year serving as a substitute teacher in a public 
     school.

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