[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 80 (Thursday, May 11, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1715
            RECOGNIZING NATIONAL TEACHERS APPRECIATION WEEK

  (Ms. HOYLE of Oregon asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Teachers 
Appreciation Week. The best way that we can show appreciation in 
Congress for our teachers is to fight for good wages, hours, and 
working conditions in the classroom.
  In Oregon, the average starting teacher salary is a little over 
$39,000. That is lower than the national average. Educators also make 
81 cents on the dollar compared to other professionals with similar 
experience, credentials, and degrees.
  Mr. Speaker, 94 percent of U.S. teachers spend their own money on 
their students to ensure classrooms have the resources they need, like 
books, supplies, music, and art. Put this all together and it is no 
wonder teachers can't pay off their student loans or buy homes in the 
communities where they teach.
  We need workers to be able to afford to buy homes in their 
communities, and we also need to raise teacher pay. Their current 
salaries aren't keeping up with the rising cost of living. The pay gap 
is only growing and creating a teacher shortage crisis.
  That is why, on National Teachers Appreciation Week, I am proud to 
cosponsor the American Teachers Act, which would help States raise the 
minimum teacher salaries to $60,000 for public K-12 schools.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank our teachers. It is far past time we back them 
up.

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