[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E314-E315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING TINA BROWN AS THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOR DISTRICT 15

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JASON SMITH

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2020

  Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Tina Brown of Kennett, Missouri, on being awarded the Teacher of the 
Year for District 15 from the VFW. Every year, VFW posts throughout the 
United States honor teachers who promote America's history, traditions 
and civic education. This year, the award went to a woman from 
Southeast Missouri who has set a profound example of patriotism and 
civic responsibility for future generations of Missourians.

[[Page E315]]

  Tina Brown has been teaching at Kennett Middle School for 23 years. 
Every year she plans a trip for her students to attend the Wreaths 
Across America ceremony. She has also organized trips to treasured 
archives and military memorials throughout the state of Missouri and in 
the heart of Southeast Missouri such as the Stars and Stripes Museum in 
Bloomfield, Missouri. She even brought a class out to Washington, D.C. 
where I had the opportunity to meet these young students on the steps 
of the United States Capitol building and where her students were able 
to see the Vietnam War memorial. Trips like these are an important part 
of her teaching. They help students experience our nation's history in 
a tangible, lasting way and educate our future generations on the world 
of opportunities ahead of them.
  Tina's phenomenal generosity extends beyond the classroom. She was 
the Chairperson of the Gold Star Monument for Dunklin county in 2019 
and helped organize middle school students to raise money for this 
monument. Her efforts were fueled by her firm belief that there was a 
need in the community to recognize the families who have lost loved 
ones in service to our country. The monument is now awaiting placement 
in downtown Kennett, where it will be a reminder of those brave lives 
lost and of the compassion and patriotism of community members such as 
Tina.
  I'm inspired not only by Tina's work but by her dedication to our 
servicemen and women. Tina's brother Frankie died while fighting for 
his country in Vietnam. Frankie was one of the brave young men that 
risked their lives for the sake of our country and tragically passed 
away fighting for our freedom. Tina was young when her brother died but 
remembers the profound loss that her family felt with Frankie's 
passing. By teaching the importance of leadership and patriotism to her 
students, she honors his memory and keeps it alive for herself and 
others.
  Tina is retiring from teaching this year to spend more time on the 
farm with her family. She will be greatly missed by students, faculty, 
and community members alike whose lives have been touched by her 
generosity and patriotism, as I have been.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Tina Brown for 
receiving this award.