[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 112 (Monday, July 8, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4226-S4227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KEVIN FLEMING

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary educator and champion for our democracy--Exeter, NH's 
Kevin Fleming, who is retiring from Winnacunnet High School after 45 
years of teaching.
  Kevin is the kind of teacher everyone wishes that they had when they 
were a student. Year after year, class after class, Kevin gave each 
student the care and attention that they needed and helped push them to 
reach their full

[[Page S4227]]

potential. He saw clearly the promise and talents in each student, 
recognizing gifts that they often did not fully realize they possessed. 
This was perhaps best exemplified through his years of coaching his 
school's Granite State Challenge, a televised academic competition 
between New Hampshire students. Not only did he prepare his students 
for success in the competition, he also helped build their confidence 
in their ability to take on hard challenges.
  As a social studies teacher, he was committed to giving his students 
a hands-on education and encouraging them to take seriously their 
responsibilities as citizens. In New Hampshire, we prize our commitment 
to civic engagement, embodied in both our citizen legislature and our 
first in the Nation Presidential primary. A true Granite Stater, Kevin 
regularly invited elected leaders and political candidates to visit 
Winnacunnet High School and talk to his students as part of their civic 
education. I have had the privilege of meeting many of Kevin's students 
over the years and was honored to speak at their graduation in 2017.
  Kevin even brought to his class leaders from across the country, 
including some of my own colleagues in the Senate, as well as 
candidates running in New Hampshire's Presidential primary, including 
President Clinton, President Bush, and Secretary Clinton. These visits 
from candidates running for offices up and down the ballot gave Kevin's 
students a remarkable view into public office, unlike any most students 
receive.
  Kevin has also always practiced what he teaches, so his influence 
goes well beyond the classroom. Aspiring public officials across New 
Hampshire know that Kevin has deep and lasting experience as a 
volunteer and that he has valuable advice and counsel to provide, 
insights that often stem from the questions and concerns he hears from 
his students. His role as informal adviser is particularly appreciated 
because he counsels with a light touch, appreciation for the very human 
challenge represented by any grassroots effort, and a great sense of 
humor.
  Kevin's experience and commitment has also made him a champion for 
public education in New Hampshire and for encouraging more people to 
become involved in the democratic process. Particularly in debates 
around education, Granite Staters respect Kevin's voice and his 
passion, whether or not they always agree with him. They know--as I 
know--that he cares deeply about our democracy and is willing to do the 
hard work of keeping it strong.
  Our democracy depends, in part, on people like Kevin--citizens who 
are willing to work for something bigger than themselves. Kevin and 
others like him know that citizenship can't be a passive exercise; they 
understand that our democracy is not sustained on its own and depends 
on each of us getting involved, speaking out, becoming better informed, 
and working to expand our country's promise to more Americans. Beyond 
that, our democracy depends not only on us, but on future generations 
assuming the mantle of leadership so that they can safeguard our 
freedoms for years to come. By educating 45 years' worth of students 
and instilling in them the importance of civic engagement, Kevin has 
helped raise future citizen leaders. In short, Kevin Fleming has made 
our democracy stronger.
  For touching the lives of students for nearly half a century, for 
pushing young people to reach their full potential, and for doing the 
hard, essential work of keeping our democracy strong, I am honored to 
recognize Kevin Fleming for everything that he has done, and I 
congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement. Our State and our 
country are better places because he chose to teach, both in the 
classroom and by example.

                          ____________________