Honoring Sandra Feldman on the occasion of her retirement from the presidency of the American Federation of Teachers for her tireless efforts to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the life, career and passion of Sandra Feldman, who history will record as being one of the greatest leaders of public education in the United States. Ms. Feldman is herself a testament of the public education system. She culminated a career in education by being elected to lead the largest teacher's union in the country, the American Federation of Teachers. Today this Congress recognizes Sandra Feldman for her tireless efforts to improve public education for all of our children.

Ms. Feldman, began her life in Brooklyn, New York as a student in the New York City public school system. She recognized early that education was a way out of the poverty she grew up in. Ms. Feldman lived in a duplex building with four families--her family consisting of five members alone. She lived in the toughest imaginable situation, but she persevered.

After graduating from James Madison High School she excelled at Brooklyn College and continued with her academic career at New York University. She definitely proved herself to be quite the student, and then challenged herself to meet the challenge of educating and shaping young lives through becoming a teacher. She taught at Public School 34 in Manhattan. In her early days as a young teacher, did she dream that she would one day achieve the presidency of the largest teacher's union in the nation?

As Sandra began her lifelong career as an advocate for disadvantaged youth in education, she participated in the great civil rights movement of the 1960's, by partaking in the freedom rides and being arrested. As a teacher she became active in the union and tirelessly worked for the children of New York. She gained notice because she was clearly the best advocate for disadvantaged students.

In 1966 she became involved as a field representative for the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). She was repeatedly promoted to become the Executive Director of the UFT. As executive director she oversaw all of the union's activities.

She was elected president of the UFT in 1986. She served honorably as president for over a decade until she was elected as president of the American Federation of Teachers in 1997.

Sandra Feldman now steps down from that post. She served as the 15th president of the union and the first woman since 1930. Her career as president was marked with innumerable successes. She is regarded as the preeminent authority on urban education and disadvantaged youth. Ms. Feldman has served on a plethora of committees and on the board of countless organizations. She has been recognized by magazines as one of the ``most influential women,'' in the country. She is certainly the most influential educator in the Nation.

I regret Sandra's departure from the presidency of the American Federation of Teachers, although she deserves a rest from her endless labors. She has certainly left an indelible mark on public education in this Nation during her superb service to our youth.

In addition to noting her successful career as a teacher, and unprecedented leadership of the American Federation of Teachers union I would like to extend my support and well wishes to this remarkable woman as she battles her illness. I wish her a speedy recovery.

There are no words adequate to express the gratitude I have for Sandra Feldman for her service and my regard for the contributions she has made.

I rise today and call on my colleagues to support House Resolution 714, to recognize Sandra Feldman for her tireless dedication to improving education for our children.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 714) honoring Sandra Feldman on the occasion of her retirement from the presidency of the American Federation of Teachers for her tireless efforts to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 714.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 714, which honors Sandra Feldman on the occasion of her retirement from the presidency of the American Federation of Teachers and for her efforts to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

Ms. Feldman was born in New York City and educated in its public schools, including James Madison High School and Brooklyn College. She holds a masters degree in English literature from New York University.

A former teacher and United Federation of Teachers chapter leader of PS-34 Manhattan, she joined the UFT staff as a field representative in 1966. She was promoted through the ranks to executive director, a post in which she supervised all aspects of the union's work. In 1983, she was elected secretary of the UFT, the union's second highest office, before becoming president in 1986.

From 1986 through 1997, Ms. Feldman was president of the 130,000- member United Federation of Teachers in New York City, the largest union local in the United States and an affiliate of the AFT. During that time, she also served as a vice president of the AFT.

In May of 1997, Sandra Feldman was elected as president of the 1.3 million-member American Federation of Teachers. She served as the 15th president of the AFT and the union's first female President since 1930. According to AFT publications, membership increased by more than 350,000 in her 7 years as president.

Ms. Feldman is widely recognized as an authority on urban education and an advocate for children and has long been willing to examine innovative approaches in efforts to raise student achievement. Her long-standing commitment to social justice dates back to her involvement with the early civil rights movement, both locally and nationally, when she was arrested during the Freedom Rides and other protests in the 1960s. U.S. Presidents, Governors, and mayors have appointed her to numerous commissions and task forces, tackling educational, economics, child welfare, labor, and other social issues.

This resolution honors Sandra Feldman on the occasion of her retirement from the American Federation of Teachers and recognizes her contributions to teaching and learning in this country. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I just want to add that all of the words that were spoken on both sides I think are particularly applicable to Sandra Feldman and the work she did with the AFT, who, in my judgment, was open-minded about change and progression in education; and for that I think she deserves a tremendous amount of credit. We wish her well as she goes off into her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 714. This resolution honors a woman who has been one of the most influential and positive forces on public education for many years.

Last week, Sandra Feldman retired from the presidency of the American Federation of Teachers, which represents 1.3 million teachers--from pre-schools to universities--throughout this nation.

Through this resolution, the Congress joins her colleagues in the AFT, and throughout the education field, in recognizing and honoring her contributions to teaching and to the improved status and professionalism of educators.

Ms. Feldman's involvement in improving the quality of education began as an advocate for children during the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

She understood, as we should all, that the right to a sound public education is one of the most basic of our civil rights.

Without that education and training; opportunities are cut off from young people in higher education, employment and promotions.

Her work continued as a public elementary school teacher in 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms at PS 34 in Manhattan. She was elected to the presidency of the United Federation of Teachers in 1986, and then the AFT presidency in 1997.

Ms. Feldman's tenure as president of AFT has been marked by tireless efforts to improve teaching and learning in our country. Ms. Feldman's strong national leadership on standards based reform helped strengthen student performance and expand the skills of teachers.

Along with many Members of Congress, state and local legislators, and local board of education, I have long sought Ms. Feldman's advice and counsel in the development of education and child development policy.

She has never failed to respond to requests for her expert advice, serving on innumerable task forces and commissions, and as a regular witness before Congress.

Quite simply, her leadership at the AFT has enabled the nation to improve teacher quality and make academic achievement a reality.

The contributions of Ms. Feldman to our educational system has been immeasurable. This resolution only recognizes these contributions in a small way. The true measurement of Ms. Feldman's efforts are seen in our schools.

Her impact can be seen with an increased focus on teacher quality and better working conditions for teachers. But also her impact is evident in the strength and desire by our schools to improve teaching and learning.

Her leadership at the AFT has brought increased commitment to closing the achievement gap and ensuring all children can succeed.

This is the type of leadership that will continue to strengthen our educational system for

years to come, and that will open the door of opportunity to millions of children who otherwise may well have languished in underfunded, unsupported schools throughout this country. That is a legacy that any teacher can be very proud of.

I urge all Members to support this resolution, to recognize a great educator and advocate for teachers and schools, and to wish Sandy the very best for her years of contribution to her country.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commend Sandra Feldman on the occasion of her retirement from the Presidency of the American Federation of Teachers. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of H. Res. 714, honoring Sandra Feldman.

Ms. Feldman has served as President of the American Federation of Teachers since 1997. In that time, she has dedicated herself completely to advancement of education. H. Res. 714 shows all Americans that a life committed to our youth and to our future does not go unnoticed.

I am thankful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have voiced support for this bill and for the scores of citizens and activists around the country who have supported similar efforts.

I urge all members of this body to join me in my praising of Sandra Feldman and her exemplary leadership.

Sandra Feldman has been involved with public schools from her youth. As a child she attended a public school in New York City. Upon graduation, she attended Brooklyn College and received a Master's degree in English Literature from New York University.

Eventually Ms. Feldman moved to the other side of the classroom and became a teacher herself, teaching to 2nd and 3rd graders in Manhattan.

Still, Ms. Feldman's dedication to teaching and learning extended well beyond the classroom. In the 1960's, she became both teacher and an advocate.

As an advocate, Ms. Feldman rose through the ranks of both the United Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers, serving as executive director of the UFT and eventually as President of both organizations.

Her journey was not only unique, but inspiring. She was the first female President of the United Federation of Teachers in more than sixty years. She has earned recognition as an urban education expert and a persistent advocate for disadvantaged children. And she has served on numerous commissions, worked with UNICEF, and tackled issues ranging from child-welfare and labor to school vouchers. She has been recognized by the Ladies Home Journal as one of the ``100 Most Influential Women in America.'' And today, she deserves the recognition of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, these brief words cannot adequately describe a lifetime of service and commitment to the betterment of this great nation. Words can never truly convey the gratitude that my colleges and I feel toward Sandra Feldman for her consistent unwavering support for disadvantaged children and our nation's education system. But the reality is, our country and its children and its schools are better off because of her years of service.

I ask my colleagues to support the passage of H. Res. 714 to recognize Sandra Feldman's contributions and leadership in improving the quality of teaching and learning.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the impressive career of Ms. Sandra Feldman, as she retires from her presidency of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). For many years, Ms. Feldman has tirelessly served our nation's teachers, paraprofessionals and school-related personnel, local, state and federal employees, higher education faculty and staff, nurses and healthcare professionals, and public schoolchildren. A New York City native, Ms. Feldman taught in New York City public elementary schools, served in the United Federation of Teachers as secretary from 1983 to 1986 and its president from 1986 to 1997. In 1997, Ms. Feldman was elected as the 15th president of the AFT and the union's first female president since 1930.

Ms. Feldman's unwavering support for teachers and her allegiance to America's children have contributed to many successes in our public schools. She engaged AFT in the fight to attract and retain a first- class workforce, to secure funds for critical services in the public schools and to provide access to professional development programs for teachers and faculty. In 2001, her leadership helped secure a number of positive measures in the No Child Life Behind Act. Since the passage of the law, she has continued to be a voice for children and teachers, striving to implement new guidelines in a way that will truly reach all children.

Ms. Feldman chose not to seek reelection as president of the AFT this year, as she focuses on her health. I sincerely thank Ms. Feldman for her decades of work on behalf of disadvantaged children, her outstanding contributions and leadership in improving the quality of teaching and learning. I wish her every success in her fight against cancer.

Ms. Feldman will be succeeded by a Rhode Island native--Mr. Edward J. McElroy, who I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. I am confident that Mr. McElroy will continue to champion the causes of the teachers, public schools, and most importantly our children.

Again, I thank Ms. Feldman for her dedication to our children and urge all my colleagues to support H. Res. 714.