Recognizing the roles and contributions of America's teachers to building and enhancing our Nation's civic, cultural, and economic well being.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1130) recognizing the roles and contributions of America's teachers to building and enhancing our Nation's civic, cultural, and economic well-being.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important contributions that teachers make to our Nation. Next week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. The National PTA created Teacher Appreciation Week in 1984 to show gratitude to the many teachers in the United States. It is a chance for us to thank those individuals who have contributed greatly to society in ways that cannot be measured. It is a chance for us to recognize the selflessness and dedication of teachers and to show our respect for the teaching profession.

Mr. Speaker, we know that good teachers make a tremendous difference to our Nation's youth. During the last decade, a body of evidence has grown to support the notion that teacher quality is the single most important factor outside of the home in affecting student achievement. Teachers serve as excellent role models and instill a love for knowledge and lifelong learning in our students.

We know that teaching is an important profession that deserves our support and respect. Teachers have the important job of helping to shape tomorrow's leaders. Those in the teaching profession work tirelessly for little reward, and good teachers constantly reflect on their lessons and modify instruction to reach the diverse needs of the students in their classrooms. Quality teachers hone their skills and are experts not only in the subject matter, but also in connecting with young people and making learning come alive.

Unfortunately, research has also shown us the negative impacts of teacher shortages. It is important and imperative that schools and communities support teachers. National Teacher Appreciation Week is an opportunity for all of us to pursue and recognize the selfless dedication of our educators. It is also an opportunity for us to recognize the importance of education and make absolutely certain that every child in America has the greatest opportunity to achieve this commodity that we call education. So we have to search our budgets, stretch our imagination and find the resources that are necessary to attract the best and the brightest individuals into the teaching profession.

Yes, there is no greater profession in our country than that of teaching. I call teachers the salt of the Earth, the pillars of the universe, those individuals who give of themselves each and every day so that others will have the opportunity to connect with this vast reservoir of knowledge that we have to be spread around.

I am indeed pleased, Mr. Speaker, to join with all of those who urge passage of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing I want to thank Representative Platts and Representative Poe for their comments relative to this resolution, and certainly join with them in expressing again tremendous appreciation for all of those in the teaching profession.

As I listened to them, I couldn't help but be reminded of important teachers during my life. I began school in a one-room school, as a matter of fact, in your home State of Arkansas, where one woman, Ms. Beadie King, taught eight grades plus the little primer and the big primer all by herself. But then I was fortunate because, later on, she was the high school English teacher. And there are individuals who would suggest that I sometimes use poems and poetry and pithy words in expression, and practically all of that really came from Ms. Beadie King. She was unbelievable. As a matter of fact, she walked at least seven, eight miles to school every day to teach.

There are a lot of teachers who give that kind of dedication today. They don't necessarily walk 7, 8 miles, but they go into their pockets and buy materials; they purchase clothing for their students when they don't have the appropriate things to wear; they purchase lunch for students; buy materials for their classes. They give the very best of everything that it is that they have.

I don't think that we can ever express--I use the opportunity to express appreciation to my wife who taught for more than 30 years, members of my family, my sister who just retired as a principal, my sister-in-law who just retired. And so there are many teachers that all of us stand on their shoulders. Like you, Representative Platts, I know that had not it been for those individuals that I came into contact with growing up, there is no way that I would be standing here this evening expressing myself as a Member of the greatest body that exists in the world, the United States House of Representatives.

Again, I thank all of the teachers in America and urge passage of this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1130 ``Recognizing the roles and contributions of America's teachers to building and enhancing our Nation's civic, cultural, and economic well being,'' introduced by my distinguished colleague from Missouri, Representative, Sam Graves. This important legislation illustrates a Nation's commitment to recognize the work and fortitude of America's teachers. It is the teacher's remarkable dedication to our students and their tireless efforts in support of education. These hard workers deserve the care, the admiration, and the benefits they have earned through their honorable service.

From the beginning, our Nation has recognized the importance of education and has always taken a leading role in its development. Teachers provide an education that represents mankind's potential to turn distant dreams into a practical reality. The expansion of our horizons has been essential for reasons beyond the advances it may provide. An education is a symbol of upward mobility and privileged wisdom. It is the foundation in which we generate innovative technology, methods and ideas that are used for the advancement of society. A higher education is vital. As we progress in technology and other critical advancements, there is a continuing shift from blue- collar to white-collar occupations; the number of available traditional jobs decline and new jobs demand greater sophistication, expertise, and an advanced degree.

Teachers are the catalyst to the quality of life and the gatekeepers to extensive knowledge. An instructor's dedication to educating and conveying knowledge is significant to the foundation of America's present and potential strength. Horace Mann, a well-renowned politician and educator, articulated the goals of public schools in the 1800s; not only would the country provide public schools, but there would be a teacher hired by the locals. Education was once decentralized to the level of the classroom where educators believed their ``professional place'' was in the classrooms. Instructors viewed teaching as a true profession; however, before long, they were expected to solve problems of society. Teachers were expected to teach health, sexual education, D.A.R.E., driver's education and supplementary courses that were not in conjunction with regular academia. Teachers provide an education which represents mankind's capability to turn remote dreams into a sensible reality. Teachers play a significant role in the greatness and affluence of the United States. Therefore, I humbly commend teachers for their outstanding contributions to this great Nation and throughout the year for their unyielding dedication and spirit to educate.

Mr. Speaker, we should continuously honor the teachers who have given their lives in service to this country. May 6, 2008 is Teacher Appreciation Day; this day will celebrate and recognize the valuable services that millions of teachers provide to the nation. Teacher Appreciation Day should be the crescendo of a years long's worth of recognition efforts. All too often, the contributions made by teachers to our country are forgotten. During National Teacher Appreciation Week, which is May 4, 2008, through May 10, 2008, the profession of teaching is promoted to encourage students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to partake in teacher appreciation events. It is fitting that we take time each year during Teacher Appreciation Week to thank our teachers--as the work they do has a tremendous and very direct effect on the lives of young people. As President Bush has said, ``There's nothing more noble than to teach.''

The innumerable contributions of teachers are invaluable and shall never go unnoticed. The strategic teaching methods that teachers employ are ostensibly successful. Because of the exceptional work of their students, their involvement should never be disregarded. Teachers and other education staff undeniably deserve the respect of their students and communities for their selfless dedication to community service and the future of our Nation's children.

I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation, and, in-so-doing, honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1130, recognizing the roles and contributions of America's teachers in educating and nurturing our Nation's children and thereby building and enhancing our Nation's civic, cultural and economic well-being.

A teacher's role in student development is irreplaceable. All of our lives have been influenced by the teachers that directed our classrooms, classrooms where students acquire the knowledge necessary to become a part of our Nation's future.

Showing teachers appreciation and recognition during the upcoming National Teacher Appreciation Week which takes place next week helps to remind us how important teachers are and what an integral role they play in the lives of our Nation's citizens. It is important that we recognize teachers for the critical work they do in improving our Nation in so many ways.

Teachers today devote more of their lives to teaching young people than ever before and spend more time on professional development, their own education and on class preparation outside the classroom. Teachers spend an average of over 50 hours per week on teaching duties and an average of $443

each year out of their own pockets to meet the needs of their students, all the while earning an average annual salary of slightly more than $31,000.

The future of our Nation's children is dependent on the individuals to make these time, energy and monetary commitments, and they deserve recognition for their service.

On a personal note, I certainly am honored to recognize the teachers I had in kindergarten through 12th grade in the New York suburban school district and know but for their support and guidance, I would not have had the opportunity to pursue my dreams, including the dream of serving in this very body, the United States House of Representatives.

Behind the upbringing of my mom and dad, my teachers, Dorothy Mirtz, my third grade teacher who is now 97 years old and still going strong as I visited with her just a few weeks back, my eighth grade teacher, Earl Lucius, who took the lessons of my parents of community service and inspired me to pursue a career in public service, they and so many other teachers and administrators I had the blessing to interact with in my education and career played a critical role in my life, as teachers do in all of our Nation's children's lives, in the past, the present and the future.

So I am honored and pleased to stand in support of this resolution, recognizing the important roles and contributions of America's teachers and support National Teacher Appreciation Week.

I certainly thank my colleague, Mr. Graves from Missouri, for introducing this resolution, and encourage an ``aye'' vote in favor of the resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and again thank all the teachers of our great Nation for their devotion to our Nation's children and for their commitment to bettering the lives of those children and, in doing so, strengthening our Nation as a whole.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, teachers plant the seeds of learning in the minds of their students. I support America's teachers and I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution. This measure recognizes significant roles and contributions that America's teachers have had and continue to have building and enhancing our country's civic, cultural and economic well-being.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that there are 6 million teachers in the United States. I, like many others in this House, turned out the way I did because of teachers that were in my background, like my seventh grade Texas history teacher, Mrs. Wilson. She formed early on a desire in my soul to go into public service, and she gets the credit or the blame, whichever people see, for my lifetime career in public service.

I also come from a long line of teachers. My mother was a teacher; my wife is a teacher; my three daughters are teachers, and two of those teach at elementary school level and one of my daughters teaches at Baylor University. And even while I was prosecuting back in Houston, Texas, I spent some time teaching law at the University of Houston.

But teaching isn't just a tradition in my family. Teaching has been a tradition in this country since its very inception. Back then, of course, most teaching happened at home under the instruction of parents. Today, parents have many options when it comes to education of their children. Some are taught in private schools, others public schools, some at charter schools, and others continue to home school.

Teachers play a primary role in equipping our youth to be good citizens, to take pride in the democratic heritage of our Nation, and to be competitive on the world marketplace of ideas. Teachers spend a long week and long hours teaching our greatest resource, children.

This year, we celebrate National Teachers Week on May 4 through 10, and let's be sure to let teachers know that those, especially that have touched our lives, how important they are. And like the bumper sticker says, ``If you can read, thank a teacher.''

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express support for the passage of House Resolution 1130, which recognizes the roles and contributions of America's teachers to building and enhancing our Nation's civic, cultural and economic well-being. I want to thank the gentleman from Missouri, Mr. Graves, for offering this important resolution.

Our teachers play an instrumental role in guiding children throughout their adolescence and into adulthood. More than just instructors, teachers are mentors and friends who encourage students to reach their potential. They also serve as the eyes and ears for parents during the school day, playing a vital role in helping a child's personal growth and development.

As our Nation continues to expand rapidly, we must also continue to encourage people to enter the teaching profession so we will continue to have great teachers to meet our growing needs. Since entering Congress in 2003, I have been proud to support initiatives to recruit high school and college students to enter teaching and work in communities with the greatest needs. This year, I was also pleased to join as a co-sponsor of a resolution establishing National Teacher Day during National Teacher Appreciation Week, offered by the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Klein. Going forward, I will continue to support increased funding for NCLB and IDEA so that teachers have the resources they need to be most successful. Our teachers deserve nothing less.

Next week, as we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week, I encourage my constituents and all Americans to take a moment to reflect upon special moments they have shared with their teachers. I also encourage parents and students to take a moment, whether with a shiny apple or a simple thank you, to show teachers that they appreciate their service to our schools.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Graves once again for offering this timely resolution and I want to thank each of my teachers for all they did to help me reach my potential.