[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6152]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL TEACHER DAY

  (Mr. YARMUTH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, most of us remember a teacher who made us 
look at the world a little differently, introduced us to a new idea or 
changed the way we thought.
  For me, that teacher was Betty Miles. For 2 years at Atherton High 
School in Louisville, my English teacher introduced me to an entire 
universe of thought and language, and I am forever grateful.
  Across the country, millions of people like Betty Miles are 
introducing young Americans to new concepts that will stick with them 
for a lifetime. Their work is critical for our most fundamental 
national interest: to build and maintain a strong and vibrant economy 
and to remain at the forefront of global innovation and ideas. And 
their daily sacrifices on behalf of growing generations are nothing 
short of heroic.
  Much in the way teachers change the lives of their students, their 
voices also shape debate in Washington. As we consider the future of 
public education in this country, we must also continue to hear from 
those on the ground to better address the challenges facing our school 
systems.
  Mr. Speaker, today on National Teacher Day, I encourage everyone to 
not only thank their teachers, but to ask them this essential question: 
How can we do better?

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