[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 7029-7030]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL TEACHERS DAY

  Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, as I am sure many of my colleagues are 
aware, today is National Teachers Day, and

[[Page 7030]]

this week is Teacher Appreciation week--an opportunity to recognize and 
celebrate the enormous contributions made by America's educators at 
every level.
  The work they do--and the impact they have--can hardly be overstated.
  Teachers are charged with helping to shape young minds, and providing 
our students with the tools and inspiration that will lead them to 
success at every level of our global society.
  This work could not be more important. Our educators truly impact 
eternity.
  But, as I address this Chamber today, they face a climate that is 
increasingly inhospitable to their work, and their goals.
  Studies show that today's teachers are more experienced and more 
educated than ever.
  Almost half of all public school teachers hold at least a master's 
degree, and more than 75 percent regularly participate in professional 
development programs.
  Yet every single year we ask these dedicated professionals to work 
longer hours for less pay.
  And in some cases we even expect them to spend their own hard-earned 
money to provide school supplies for their students.
  This is unacceptable. We can--and we must--do better.
  At every stage in my career, I have raised my voice on behalf of 
America's students and educators.
  Today, on National Teachers Day, I urge my colleagues to join me in 
this call to action.
  We need to step up our investment in America's future, and provide 
our educators with the support they need.
  We need to meet competence and dedication with gratitude, fair pay, 
and adequate classroom resources.
  And we need to do so without delay.
  Because, if we fail to keep these commitments, if we fail to provide 
the support our educators need, we will lose quality educators and the 
invaluable services they provide.
  In my home State of Illinois, roughly 9,000 public school teachers 
have received layoff notices this year.
  And as many as 300,000 will lose their jobs nationwide.
  This will result in more crowded classrooms, less individual 
attention for students who need it, reduced access to extracurricular 
programs, and a school faculty and staff that is increasingly stretched 
thin.
  I invite my colleagues to consider the impact these massive layoffs 
will have on our students.
  I invite them to think of the consequences for America's future.
  We cannot let this stand.
  That is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of S. 3206--the 
Keep Our Educators Working Act, which I have introduced with my good 
friend Senator Harkin.
  This legislation would create a $23 billion Education Jobs Fund, 
which would help provide resources to states and local districts that 
are finding it hard to make ends meet.
  This money would be used to retain current educators, hire new ones, 
and provide important on-the-job training activities to those in 
education-related careers.
  It would keep good teachers where they belong: in the classroom--and 
would help to close the budget gap that currently threatens to leave 
many school districts high and dry.
  So I urge my colleagues in this Chamber to support this bill, and 
make education a priority again.
  Let us give teachers and students the support they need--so we can 
recruit the best teachers, fund afterschool programs, and keep more 
schools open.
  I applaud President Obama for his unwavering commitment to our 
education system. And today, I call upon him to follow through on that 
commitment.
  To work with my colleagues and I, on both sides of the aisle, to pass 
the Education Jobs Fund Act, reinvest in our schools, and make sure 
that America's future is secure.
  And I would ask that they join with me in celebrating the dedication 
and hard work of our teachers--without whom none of us would be where 
we are today.

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