    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [April 20, 1993]
    [Pages 460-461]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Presenting the Teacher of the Year Award
    April 20, 1993

        The President. Good afternoon. Please be seated.
        I want to say, first, how delighted I am to be here with Secretary
    Riley and with Senator Graham. The three of us served as Governors
    together during the 1980's when we worked constantly on strategies to
    improve our schools, when we led often difficult and long efforts to
    upgrade the standards in American education and to improve the quality
    of instruction our children were receiving.
        There were no two Governors whom I admired more during that period
    than the two who now stand on this stage with the Teacher of the Year.
    And I think both of them would join me in saying that, after all the
    testimony has been heard and all the bills have been passed and the
    funds have been raised and allocated, it all comes down to what happens
    between the teacher and the students in the classroom.
        That's why today's ceremony honoring the National Teacher of the
    Year is so important. Tracey Leon Bailey has won recognition all across
    our country for highly advanced and innovative science programs. He's
    developed and introduced into Florida's classrooms cutting-edge programs
    in molecular biology and DNA fingerprinting, subjects usually taught
    only in college and, I might add, probably only dimly understood here in
    the Nation's Capital.
        Within 3 years of being hired by a satellite high school, Mr.
    Bailey's institution had one of the strongest science programs in the
    entire State of Florida, and it won numerous national and international
    awards. These advanced programs aren't just for a favored few. Tracey
    Bailey has inspired all kinds of students, including those previously
    known as low-achieving or at-risk, to reach for excellence and to attain
    it. This is what our students need and what our country needs.
        Today, we know that a good future with high wages and rich
    opportunities rests on the foundation of quality education for a
    lifetime. The basics aren't enough anymore. All our kids need competence
    in math and science and advanced problemsolving. That's why Tracey
    Bailey's accomplishments are so important and why I am so pleased and
    proud to participate in recognizing and honoring these accomplishments.
        Tracey, you represent the best in the United States. I'm glad to
    recognize you today and to formally present you with this apple award as
    the Teacher of the Year for 1993.

    [At this point, the President presented the award, and Mr. Bailey made a
    brief statement of appreciation.]

        The President. In closing, I would like to also welcome the
    education leaders from Florida who are here, those representing the
    national education groups who have also come. I'd like to recognize
    Tracey's Congressman, Representa-

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    tive Jim Bacchus in the back, himself a great advocate of education. And
    I'd like to remind all of you that the ultimate purpose of the National
    Teacher of the Year Award is to find a way for the rest of us to express
    our appreciation to people all across this country who give their lives
    to our children, all of the teachers of this country who get up every
    day and do their best to try to advance the cause of learning for all
    the children of America. They are, in so many ways, our most important
    public servants.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:25 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House.