[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 7708-7711]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL TEACHER DAY

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 952) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives that there should be established a National Teacher Day 
to honor and celebrate teachers in the United States.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 952

       Whereas the education of children in the United States is 
     the foundation of the future success of the United States;
       Whereas education is critical for the creation of an 
     innovative workforce and for increasing the global 
     competitiveness of the United States;

[[Page 7709]]

       Whereas teachers help students cultivate the knowledge and 
     principles necessary to be successful in life;
       Whereas teachers are held to high expectations, while often 
     receiving little compensation;
       Whereas teachers help instill civic responsibility among 
     students in the United States;
       Whereas teachers deserve annual national recognition for 
     their knowledge, selfless dedication to their profession, 
     compassion, and sacrifice; and
       Whereas the Tuesday of the first full week of May of each 
     year is an appropriate day for the establishment of National 
     Teacher Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that--
       (1) there should be established a National Teacher Day to 
     honor and celebrate teachers; and
       (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling on 
     the people of the United States to observe such a day with 
     appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield as much 
time as my friend from Florida (Mr. Klein) may consume.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res 
952, legislation calling for the establishment of a National Teacher 
Day. Few professionals touch as many lives as teachers do. They provide 
us with the knowledge and skills that we need to succeed in life, and 
their compassion, sacrifice, and dedication to their profession 
deserves national recognition.
  As the son of an elementary school teacher, I was proud to introduce 
this resolution calling for the establishment of a national day of 
recognition for our Nation's teachers. My mother and so many other 
teachers across the country spend their lives working to inspire 
children and open their minds to new ideas so that they can grow up to 
be successful in whatever path they choose.
  I am sure that each and every one of our colleagues can identify a 
teacher from their past who left a significant mark on their lives. I 
know that I would not be here where I am today without the motivation 
and encouragement of teachers from my past who challenged me to aspire 
to greater things and pursue my dreams of public service.
  For me, the teacher who provided the greatest impact of my life is 
Dr. Leatrice Rabinsky, a teacher at Cleveland Heights High School in 
Ohio. She was one of the pioneers of Holocaust education. Her teaching 
and experience left an indelible mark on me and led me to introduce 
legislation, as a State Senator in Florida, requiring the teaching of 
the Holocaust in all of Florida's public schools. Florida was one of 
the first States to pass and implement this policy which is now 
considered a model for Holocaust education across this country, and I 
attribute that effort to Dr. Leatrice Rabinsky.
  I believe it is important to recognize the hard work of our Nation's 
teachers who prepare our students to build a stronger America. The 
education of our children is critical to the success of our country, 
and despite limited compensation, in many cases, and increasingly high 
expectations, our teachers rise to the challenge each and every day.
  In Florida, the average teacher earns about $43,000 per year, and 
nationally, teacher salary growth continues to lag behind inflation. 
This day of recognition is critical for bringing national attention to 
the pressing need to invest more in our teachers and our public 
schools. By providing teachers with the support, professional 
development, and compensation they deserve, we will retain more 
teachers in the profession and see significant gains in our public 
schools. No longer can we ask our teachers to increase their workload 
and raise academic achievement without providing them with the 
resources they need to do so.
  Teachers are a critical component to our increasing global 
competitiveness, and once again establishing our country as a world 
leader in the global economy, teachers will play a central role.
  I'm proud to have voted for the passage of legislation that invests 
in our Nation's math and science teachers this year providing roughly 
25,000 teachers with assistance in pursuing graduate degrees, summer 
training, and other types of professional development. I am confident 
that this is just the beginning of new Federal support investing in 
science, technology, engineering, and math education and providing 
incentives to teachers who wish to engage in these specialty areas.
  Our teachers are charged with a very difficult task as the pressure 
continues to grow across the country to increase student achievement. 
However, they have taken on the challenge with incredible perseverance 
and determination, and their dedication to our students and their 
profession deserves thanks and recognition.
  I'm hopeful with the passage of this resolution, every American will 
take time from their day to acknowledge the teachers in their lives, 
both past and present, for their commitment to this important 
profession.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank my distinguished colleague, 
Congressman Roskam, for joining me in introducing this legislation, and 
I thank the overwhelming number of Members who have joined me in 
support of the establishment of a National Teacher Day.
  I urge passage of this important legislation.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, we've heard from the Democratic sponsor of 
the bill. I would like to yield to the Republican sponsor of the bill, 
Mr. Roskam, who is from Illinois and close to Chicago, such time as he 
may consume.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Connecticut. I, 
like many of us, come to the floor and want to congratulate Mr. Klein 
for his leadership on this issue and bringing us together actually in 
an area that I think most folks, if you reflect back, you can think of 
a favorite teacher. Let me tell you a little bit about one of my 
favorite teachers.
  My fourth grade teacher was Lillian Anderson. Lillian Anderson was 65 
years old and I was in the last class. Maybe I caused her to retire, 
but I was the last class that Ms. Anderson had. Ms. Anderson was one of 
those people at Ben Franklin School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, that began 
to open up our eyes, myself and my classmates, to the State of 
Illinois, and that's a tradition that we have in Illinois.
  Mr. Speaker, as a fine product of the public schools in Illinois, you 
know that fourth graders in Illinois begin to learn about the State. We 
learn the State flower, the violet. We learn the State song, which I 
will not sing for you. We learn the State bird, the cardinal, and all 
of these things.
  And what happened to me was in Ms. Anderson's class, beginning to 
learn about the three branches of government, in all of those things, 
suddenly this was a whole new area that was revealed to me.
  I grew up in a family that wasn't active when it came to politics. My 
mom and dad would vote, but that was pretty much it. So here I was a 
young student, a young boy in Ms. Anderson's class, and a seed was 
planted by that dear woman. The seed was later watered for me when I 
was in eighth grade and took the Constitution test, and I was one of 
those kids in eighth grade that couldn't get enough of it, absolutely 
loved it.
  My point is that there were teachers along the way that encouraged 
and nurtured me, and I have a strong suspicion that, as we reflect, 
every one of us can point to somebody along the way, in addition to 
those people in our immediate families, but somebody along the way that 
encouraged us, that saw a little something in us, moved us along, took 
the time to pull us aside

[[Page 7710]]

and give us an important word. I think that that legacy is the great 
benefit of the teaching profession today because they don't know all of 
the ways in which they've influenced people.
  So I want to thank Mr. Klein. I want to thank him for bringing this 
resolution to the floor, for having the Congress today pause and to 
reflect on those people who were influential in bringing us here today, 
and I know he's worked very hard to reach out to folks on both sides of 
the aisle.
  I want to thank my friend from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) for yielding.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of this resolution urging the establishment 
of a National Teacher Day. Every day, thousands of men and women in 
this country wake up in the morning with a tremendous responsibility, 
this stressful and sometimes daunting task of educating our Nation's 
youth. We entrust these special people with our most precious resource, 
our children.
  Devoted teachers make a difference in the lives of students from 
every age and background. Every one of us can point to so many 
exceptional educators whose impact allowed us to get where we are 
today.
  Support for a national day honoring the hard work of teachers has 
been brewing since 1944 when an Arkansas schoolteacher, Maddie White 
Woodridge, began corresponding with education leaders about the need 
for a teacher's day. In 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt convinced the 81st 
Congress to establish the first National Teacher Day. Finally, in 1985, 
the National Parent Teacher Association declared the first week in May 
as National Teacher Appreciation Week.
  Through their dedication and passion for service, teachers bridge the 
gap between the resources available and the vital need for a strong 
education, with sometimes too little compensation. They provide the 
tools necessary for success, and their sacrifice deserves national 
recognition.
  So, in recognition of the crucial role teachers play in trying to 
make sure every child receives a quality education, it is appropriate 
we pass this important resolution.
  Given the incredible teachers I have been fortunate to have over my 
life, it is appropriate for me to recognize and thank them. I am 
extraordinarily grateful for every teacher that I have had. They saw in 
me opportunities for growth--there sure was--but more important, they 
helped me to dream and to imagine I could be someone I wanted to be. I 
thank them for the skills they taught me and for helping me grow in the 
right direction. And I thank them for their love and care of me.
  With that, I yield back my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I'd like to thank my friend from 
Florida (Mr. Klein) for bringing this resolution and to say that, after 
hearing the speakers today, it made me think about the impact some of 
my teachers had on my learning throughout my life. In the words of a 
famed historian and author, Henry Adams, he said, Teachers affect 
eternity because they can never tell you where their influence stops.
  So, today, let us stand in support and recognition of the timeless 
influence of our country's teachers and educators by passing H. Res. 
952, which expresses the sense of the House that there should be 
established a National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in 
the United States, and I urge passage of the bill.
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, as the only former state schools' chief 
serving in Congress, I rise today in appreciation of the lasting impact 
that teachers make on the lives of all Americans.
  Each of us in the House have benefited from the care and guidance of 
a talented educator. Each of us knows, from personal experience and 
reports from our district, many of the amazing success stories in our 
schools today. These successes would not be possible without our 
dedicated teachers who lend their skills, experience, and passion to 
the task of educating our children.
  I am profoundly thankful to all of my teachers, who pushed me to 
succeed and taught me valuable lessons. Ms. Flossie Barber, who taught 
me at the Cleveland School, was the personification of teaching. Stern 
and tough, but always caring with each and every student, her early 
lessons enabled me to achieve my goals and more. Coach Bruce Coats 
taught me what it meant to be a member of a team and how to contribute 
to the greater good. I hope that everyone has the privilege of great 
teachers like these, and remembers to give them thanks for their hard 
work and inspiration.
  Too often, we do not give our teachers the respect and esteem that 
they deserve. This day, and really this whole week, is an opportunity 
to stop and remember the professional educators who work every day to 
build a bright future for our children and our Nation. Their efforts 
shape the world of tomorrow, and they deserve our support every day 
throughout the year.
  Mr. Speaker, with your leadership, the New Direction Congress is 
ensuring that our teachers get the support they need to continue their 
work to educate our children. We have committed to fully funding No 
Child Left Behind and other federal mandates that have been 
shortchanged by the current administration. We also must pass new 
teacher training and staff development initiatives to help our 
educators hone and maintain the skills they need to teach our children 
well. We have made great strides in recent years to improve our 
schools, and, on this National Teacher Day should recommit to build on 
that record of success.
  Improving education in this country is about creating a classroom 
environment where children can learn. My colleagues and I have crafted 
bipartisan legislation to provide critical investments in school 
construction and modernization across the country. The Rangel-Ramstad-
Etheridge America's Better Classrooms Act will provide $25 billion in 
interest-free bonds for local schools. This bill will make a real 
difference for our communities, our children, and their teachers. I 
have also introduced legislation to ensure that students and teachers 
have a safe place to learn that is equipped to respond to any disaster. 
The Schools Empowered to Respond Act will support schools in their 
efforts to keep children safe and implement robust emergency management 
plans. On this National Teacher Day, I urge my colleagues to join me in 
support of this important legislation.
  The work of our dedicated teachers inspires our students every day, 
and I have been inspired by so many educators who give much to our 
communities. I thank them for their work, and do so every day.
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the 
establishment of a National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate 
teachers.
  Teachers are the cornerstone of our Nation's schools. We ask them to 
be educators and mentors. We ask them to work long hours, keep order in 
crowded classrooms, and respond creatively to individual student needs. 
They consistently rise to meet the challenge.
  We should recognize their contributions, but we should also take 
tangible steps to assist them. And that means funding for our schools, 
high quality training, and fair pay. It means making sure that every 
teacher is prepared to walk into the classroom and every teacher has 
support through the school day.
  We trust our Nation's teachers with our most important task--caring 
for and educating our children. National Teacher Day will remind us to 
honor their commitment and support that mission.
  Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, this week (May 4-May 10) we 
celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, and Tuesday, May 6, as National 
Teacher Day. These days have been set aside as a time for honoring 
teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our 
lives.
  Last year, the National Education Association (NEA) conducted an 
online poll asking teachers what kind of gift would most make them feel 
appreciated. The answer? A simple ``thank you, `` according to nearly 
half (48 percents) of all respondents.
  Such humility comes as no surprise. My mother was a public school 
teacher, so I know firsthand how many sacrifices teachers make both 
with their own money, their time and their heart. They work long hours 
and are often underappreciated. Yet, few other professionals touch as 
many people as teachers do. I bet many of us learned life lessons that 
we carry with us today because of a special teacher. I don't know that 
we can ever say ``thank-you'' enough times to teachers who have made a 
difference in our lives. This week, I hope we'll all take a minute to 
tell a special teacher ``thank you''--a simple thank you card, a quick 
phone call--it means a lot.
  I recognize that these are small ways to honor teachers, and that we 
have to put our money where our mouth is. Teachers give so

[[Page 7711]]

much to support Kansas students--it's high time that Congress repays 
the favor. Here are some of the ways I have made a commitment to 
helping teachers:
  Providing tax relief for teachers. I co-sponsored H.R. 549, the 
Teacher Tax Relief Act to increase and make permanent a tax deduction 
of up to $400 for elementary and secondary school teachers. I am also a 
co-sponsor of H.R. 3605, introduced after H.R. 549, which will increase 
the deduction to $500. This deduction would help teachers recoup 
expenses when they use their own money to buy classroom supplies.
  Funding Continuing Education for Teachers. I voted for the America 
Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in 
Technology, Education and Science (COMPETES) Act, which became law in 
August, 2007. The act provides professional development for teachers, 
ensures more highly qualified classroom teachers in mathematics, 
science, engineering, and technology, and provides funding to improve 
laboratory equipment and facilities.
  Student Loan Assistance. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act, 
which I voted for and was signed into law by the President in 
September, 2007, includes a tuition assistance program for public 
school teachers who commit to working in impoverished areas or in high-
need subjects.
  Public schools are at the heart of any community and I believe we all 
have to work together to make our schools the best that they can be. 
That means everyone in the community--parents, business owners, 
retirees, local government and students must pitch in.
  This week is an opportunity for all of us to get involved. That apple 
on the desk or a thank you card is an important first step. But, let's 
use this week to learn about and advocate for high standards for our 
public schools and appropriate compensation for teachers. A community's 
active support of the work that teachers do, combined with that 
``thank-you,'' can make changes that will last for generations to come.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 952, to honor and recognize our Nation's teachers. I want to 
thank my colleague and good friend, Congressman Ron Klein for 
sponsoring this resolution. Today marks the beginning of National 
Teacher Appreciation Week, but America's teachers deserve more than a 
week of recognition for their investment in our country's most precious 
resource, our children.
  Too often teachers are overworked and underpaid. They spend long 
hours in the classroom, many hours after the school day coaching our 
kids and leading their extracurricular groups, and then go home to 
spend more time grading papers. They invest their own lives in the 
lives of our children, and every day they empower young people with the 
knowledge and tools they need to be successful and confident. America's 
future is in the hands of our children, and we owe our teachers a 
universe of thanks for their hard work.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 952.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________