[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5638]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF SUSAN S. BENJAMIN UPON BEING SELECTED AS THE 2002 NEW 
                       MEXICO TEACHER OF THE YEAR

 Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, I rise today to honor Susan S. 
Benjamin of Los Alamos, NM, who is in the Nation's Capitol today to be 
recognized as the 2002 New Mexico Teacher of the Year. She was one of 
57 teachers from across the country who were honored by President Bush 
in a White House ceremony today for excellence in their profession. I 
am honored to have the opportunity to make a few remarks.
  For the past 32 years, Susan has been making a difference in 
children's lives. As an elementary school teacher, she has touched the 
hearts and minds of her students, while generating interest and 
enthusiasm in learning. Parents, colleagues, and students all reap 
praises upon her for the excitement she brings to the classroom.
  Previously, Susan has been selected as the Los Alamos Public Schools 
Teacher of the Year. She also received the New Mexico State Award for 
Excellence in Math Teaching on two separate occasions.
  Through her dedicated service, Susan has earned a national reputation 
as an outstanding teacher. She has participated in nationwide 
Activities Integrating Math and Science, AIMS, workshops, working with 
other teachers to demonstrate techniques for math and science 
education.
  Her efforts to increase student awareness of the importance of 
science and math education complements many of the ideas expressed in 
the newly authorized No Child Left Behind Act. Our children need the 
tools necessary to compete in a marketplace dominated by computers and 
information technologies that demands a high level of proficiency in 
math and science. Dedicated teachers like Susan will now have more 
freedom to develop programs related to technology which will ultimately 
benefit her students.
  Susan has helped set the bar for excellence in teacher quality. I am 
encouraged to know that a teacher of her caliber will now have greater 
flexibility in providing her students the skills necessary to succeed 
in tomorrow's marketplace.
  I am proud to honor Susan Benjamin, our 2002 New Mexico Teacher of 
the Year. On behalf of the Senate and New Mexico, I thank this fellow 
New Mexican for making a difference in our children's lives.

                          ____________________