Expressing support for designation of October 2009 as "National Principals Month".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 811) expressing support for designation of October 2009 as ``National Principals Month,'' as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 811 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 811, which recognizes the designation of this month, October 2009, as National Principals Month.

This bipartisan resolution introduced by myself and Congressman Todd Platts honors and supports the critical role that school leaders play in the lives of our students, because one of the principal reasons behind a school's success is often its strong principal. This is true every day in schools all across our country.

At San Diego High School of International Studies in my district, Principal Karen Wroblewski has been the force behind the school's high ranking and Newsweek's top 100 high schools for 3 years running. Families have been known to camp in Karen's office to garner a spot in the incoming class. This success is only bolstered by the fact that her school is in a historically low-performing educational area and that the student body is one of the most diverse in our city. Understandably,

Karen was named the 2009 National Magnet Principal of the Year.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of our country, in Delaware, Principal Stephanie Smith is a similar driving energy behind Seaford Middle School. As a result of Seaford's emphasis on challenging coursework and collaboration with her staff, the State chamber of commerce recognized the school with its Superstars in Education award, and it is a 2009 MetLife National Association of School Principals breakthrough school.

These women are prime examples of how elementary, middle and high school principals provide the vision, the dedication and the mobilizing power for successful schools. School leaders set the academic tone, and they keep teachers involved to develop performance goals and objectives. Behind every one of their efforts is the genuine intent to improve student achievement.

Unlike many other careers, principals are expected to fill a variety of roles which are each complex in their own right. On any given day, they are likely to be everything from educational visionary, to community builder, to budget analyst, to facility manager, to counselor. This means that principals often work long hours. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that one in three principals works far more than 40 hours per week, and they often work many additional hours supervising school activities at night and on weekends. Just because students go home at the end of the day or at the end of the school term does not mean that the work of a principal stops. In fact, principals could give our congressional schedule quite a run for its money.

During my time on the San Diego School Board, I worked with many of these remarkable individuals. I witnessed how their commitment and energy can inspire an entire school from the youngest student to the most senior teacher. In the end, it is principals who are responsible for creating and managing the environment where our students learn and grow.

So this month, let's honor this important role which they dedicate themselves to all year round.

I would also like to thank the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals for their work to designate October 2009 as National Principals Month.

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

Mr. Speaker, I remember a school in my district that I visited often as a school board member and then later in the State legislature. It was kind of a tough school, really; and I used to go into the principal's room or into the teachers' lounge, and people were always grumbling. Then a new principal came to town, and she hired a number of new teachers. A number of teachers had actually left the school because she came in. I think she established early that she was going to have some very high standards. Some people left. Within a year, the tone at that school was turned around so dramatically.

I remember walking into the office one day, and they had pictures of all the teachers and their families on the wall so that parents, when they came in, could relate not just to the teachers, but they could know the teachers' families. Everybody seemed to be part of a family; and that happened because of the vision, because of the enthusiasm and, really, because of the skill of that principal. That school now continues to do very, very well. It has established itself in the community so differently than what I really remember it to be for a number of years.

So we know that principals truly make a difference. When they can translate their desire to see high achievement and high expectations to everybody on the staff and in the whole community, it really does matter to young people. That's what we need. Tremendous principals often, I guess, consider themselves to be pretty ordinary folks, but they do extraordinary things.

I'm just delighted to be part of this resolution, and I am very happy that we're able to talk about it today on the floor, and I thank my colleague for that as well.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support and the passage of House Resolution 811, recognizing National Principals Month; and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for 1 minute and revise and extend my remarks.

On Wednesday, October 21, 2009, I was in Long Beach, California hosting Deputy Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari and Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda at an important national transportation conference held in my district.

On Thursday, October 22, and Friday, October 23, I was in American Samoa and Samoa monitoring the ongoing relief and recovery efforts of FEMA and others currently underway in response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck those islands on September 29. As the Member of Congress with the nation's largest concentration of Samoan Americans on the mainland and as a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, undertaking this fact-finding mission was directly related to my representational, legislative, and committee responsibilities.

Because of these excused absences I was unable to return in time for rollcall votes 793 through 813.

Had I been present I would have voted as follows:

1. On rollcall No. 793, I would have voted ``aye.'' S. 1793. Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009.

2. On rollcall No. 794, I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 811. Expressing support for designation of October 2009 as ``National Principals Month.''

On rollcall No. 795, I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 837. Recognizing Kentucky Wesleyan College for their service as an institution of higher education for over 150 years.

On rollcall No. 796, I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 660. Recognizing the distinguished history of the Laurinburg Normal Industrial Institute.

On rollcall No. 797, I would have voted ``aye.'' S. Con. Res. 43. Authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to former Senator Edward Brooke.

On rollcall No. 798, I would have voted ``aye.'' Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule for H.R. 3585--Solar Technology Roadmap Act of 2010 (H. Res. 846).

On rollcall No. 799, I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 846. Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3585--Solar Technology Roadmap Act of 2010.

On rollcall No. 800, I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 797. Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to raising awareness and enhancing the state of cyber security in the United States, and supporting the goals and ideals of the sixth annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (Representative Clarke--Science and Technology).

On rollcall No. 801, I would have voted ``no.'' Broun (GA) amendment. Changes the number of years for which the Committee is authorized from five to three; reduces to $250,000,000 the amount authorized in each of the three years, from 2011 to 2013.

On rollcall No. 802, I would have voted ``aye.'' Kaptur (OH) amendment. Requires the Roadmap Committee to provide recommendations to strengthen the use of research and development strategies in making domestic industry more competitive and to assist in the commercialization of solar technologies.

On rollcall No. 803, I would have voted ``aye.'' Klein (FL) amendment. Includes research on solar energy storage technology as eligible for funding under the Secretary of Energy's research and development program.

On rollcall No. 804, I would have voted ``aye.'' Titus (NV)/Teague (NM)/Cohen (TN) amendment. Includes the development of solar technology products that are water efficient as a focus of the bill.

On rollcall No. 805, I would have voted ``aye.'' Heinrich (NM) amendment. Requires the Solar Technology Roadmap Committee to release a draft Roadmap to the public at least one month prior to publication in order to receive public input.

On rollcall No. 806, I would have voted ``aye.'' Himes (CT) amendment. Clarifies that solar thermal technologies and concentrating solar photovoltaic technologies will be included within the scope of the research and development program authorized by the bill.

On rollcall No. 807, I would have voted ``aye.'' Final Passage of H.R. 3585. Solar Technology Roadmap Act of 2010.

On rollcall No. 808, I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 175. Condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.

On rollcall No. 809, I would have voted ``aye.'' Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule for H.R. 3619--Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (H. Res. 853).

On rollcall No. 810, I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 853. Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3619--Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010.

On rollcall No. 811, I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 836. Expressing support for Teen Read Week.

On rollcall No. 812, I would have voted ``aye.'' Kratovil (MD) amendment. Requires the Coast Guard to study the facility infrastructure requirements needed to fulfill the Coast Guard's missions and capabilities, and ensure that the department in which the Coast Guard is operating maintains the ability to utilize the latest technologies.

On rollcall No. 813, I would have voted ``aye.'' Final Passage of H.R. 3619. Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 811, expressing support for the designation of October 2009 as National Principals Month.

The role of principals has been redefined in the 21st century. Gone are the days when principals spent most of their time with bus schedules, fire drills and general curriculum. Today's school leaders must keep abreast of State and Federal goals, the latest technologies and teaching practices, as well as learning to use data to spot gaps in learning among all students. It should come as no surprise that principals, like other organizational leaders, set the tone for high achievement in their schools.

Regardless of location, racial or socioeconomic demographics, communities demand that principals lead the instructional and academic performances in their schools. Leadership is an important factor in the creation of good schools. Influenced by the academic standards movement, which focuses on equity and instruction, school leaders are thinking anew about how to define quality in our schools and about how to create and manage the environments that support them.

Principals lead schools, and they tie the daily operations to school and student learning goals that are set by parents, staff, and the community. They also set high expectations for the academic and social development of all students, teachers and staff; and they ensure the resources to meet these high standards.

Principals are also charged with hiring and retaining high-quality teachers and with holding them responsible for student learning. Today's school leadership also connects professional development to school learning goals, and it provides opportunities for teachers to work, plan, and to think together.

Principals are among the hardest working, yet often the least recognized, individuals in education. These unsung heroes deserve to be recognized for the essential role they play in preparing today's students for the challenges of tomorrow, and I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

I also would like to comment about my principal at Clarksville High School, Mr. Thompson, who is a retired sergeant in the Marine Corps. He had a hard time keeping us in between the white lines. I think part of my success today is due to Mr. Thompson, my principal, who kept a lot of young boys out of trouble and who pointed them in the right direction education-wise. Many principals across this Nation and probably most of us in this room could acknowledge that.

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

Mr. Speaker, I concur with the gentlewoman, and I would urge the passage of this resolution; and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 811, a resolution recognizing the month of October as ``National Principals Month.'' My congressional district in El Paso, Texas is fortunate to have outstanding principals in our schools who work tirelessly every day encouraging our teachers and students, and also serving as role models in our community. These dedicated educators are constantly challenging students and teachers to achieve high academic goals.

Principals wear many hats in their daily schedule. As educational leaders, principals set the academic tone at their schools and guide their staff and students with a shared vision for the future by developing and maintaining high curriculum standards and setting performance goals and objectives. As administrators, they handle public relations duties, analyze and manage their schools' budgets, and strive to maintain a high level of both student and staff morale. As campus leaders and mentors, they provide support at school sporting events, community service projects, fundraising activities, and other school functions.

Principals are our educational system's ultimate multi-taskers and, along with teachers, deserve to be recognized for their work, dedication, and passion on behalf of our children. There are approximately 250 elementary, middle, and high school principals in my district in El Paso. I am proud to say that my daughter, Dr. Monica Reyes, is one of those, and I applaud her and all of the principals in my district for their outstanding work. These leaders work with a sense of urgency to raise our schools' educational levels to new heights each day by providing our students and teachers with the guidance and leadership necessary to ensure success.

Both principals and teachers play a significant role in encouraging our students to stay

in school and pursue higher education, both which are crucial to the future strength and prosperity of our nation. As a Member of Congress, promoting student advancement and acknowledging the efforts of our teachers and principals has always been a priority of mine.

Mr. Speaker, ``National Principals Month'' is a great opportunity to acknowledge the importance of principals and promote educational success and leadership in our schools, and I am proud to voice my support for this resolution.

Madam Speaker, due to an illness in my immediate family, I was unable to cast votes October 20 thru 23, 2009. If I had been present I would have cast the following votes:

Rollcall 790--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 3763: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 791--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 3319: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 792--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 558: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 793--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to S. 1793: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 794--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 811: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 795--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 837: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 796--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 660: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 797--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to S. Con. Res 43: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 798--H. Res. 846: On ordering the previous question Agreed to: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 799--H. Res. 846: Providing for consideration of H.R. 3585: On agreeing to the resolution: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 800--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 797: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 801--On Broun Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``No.''

Rollcall 802--On Kaptur Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 803--On Klein Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 804--On Titus-Teague-Cohen Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 805--On Heinrich Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 806--On Himes Amendment to H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 807--On Passage of H.R. 3585: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 808--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 175: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 809--H. Res. 853: On ordering the previous question: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 810--H. Res. 853: Providing Consideration for H.R. 3619: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 811--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 836: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 812--On Kratovil Amendment to H.R. 3619: ``Yes.''

Rollcall 813--On Passage of H.R. 3619: ``Yes.''