[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 129 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BECKY PRINGLE

  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I would like to recognize the 
accomplishments and service of Becky Pringle as she concludes her final 
term as the president of the Nation's largest labor union, the National 
Education Association, NEA. Throughout her tenure, Becky's passion and 
purpose has united 3 million educators and their allies across the 
country to use their collective power to fight for the respect and 
dignity our educators deserve and to protect the promise of public 
education for all students.
  Becky has worked with the national union for more than 30 years. She 
first joined the NEA in 1981 as an eighth grade science teacher from 
Philadelphia and began her leadership journey as a local union 
president. She then served on the board of directors for NEA and the 
Pennsylvania State Education Association.
  During her tenure as NEA president, she helped focus the Nation's 
attention on how the pandemic impacted our students, schools, teachers, 
education support professionals, and school leaders. Becky's 
determination also strengthened the labor movement and expanded worker 
power, fighting to grow NEA membership at a time when workers and 
public sector unions are under attack. She has been recognized for her 
leadership by the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, 
National Action Network, American Association of University Women, and 
President Barack Obama's Commission on Educational Excellence for 
African Americans.
  Becky understands that public education is the backbone of American 
democracy, where all people come together to learn and grow. Thank you, 
President Pringle, for your tireless dedication to our Nation's 
teachers, students, and school leaders across the country.

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