[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11651]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              MARKING THE RETIREMENT OF DENNIS VAN ROEKEL

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2014

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a tireless 
champion for a quality education for all Americans, Dennis Van Roekel. 
When he retires as President of the National Education Association this 
month, he will be concluding decades of service as a teacher and 
advocate--a career dedicated to our children and the hard-working 
professionals who devote themselves to education. He leaves both NEA 
and our nation's schools and classrooms stronger for his leadership.
  A graduate of the University of Iowa, Van Roekel holds a Master's 
Degree in math education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. 
For 23 years, he taught high school mathematics, building an intimate 
understanding of the challenges facing our children and our teachers.
  This experience would serve as the foundation of his work to improve 
student learning and enhance the professionalism of education 
employees. It deepened his faith in the importance of public education 
and the right of all children, regardless of race, background or 
location, to a world-class education.
  After holding key positions with NEA at all levels of the 
association, including two terms as Vice President and Secretary-
Treasurer, Van Roekel was elected President in 2008. Shortly after 
taking office, he established the Commission on Effective Teachers and 
Teaching, a national, independent panel whose findings formed the basis 
of NEA's ``Leading the Profession'' plan to strengthen and empower 
teachers and students across America.
  Van Roekel has also shouldered leadership positions in education 
associations from the local to the international, ranging from Paradise 
Valley Education Association President to the National Board for 
Professional Teaching Standards Executive Committee and the National 
Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education Executive Board.
  No investment brings more revenue back to the Treasury than 
education. It is the greatest investment people can make in themselves, 
and that our nation can make in its future. For decades, we have been 
fortunate to have Dennis Van Roekel helping us make that case, and 
helping to improve the quality of public education available to all 
Americans.
  As he enters the next chapter of his life, I join with many others in 
thanking Dennis for the many years of energy and determination he has 
given NEA and our nation. Congratulations on many successes at NEA, and 
good luck in all your future endeavors.

                          ____________________