National Memorial to Fallen Educators Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 167) to designate a National Memorial to Fallen Educators at the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 167 designates the existing memorial to fallen educators at the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas, as the National Memorial to Fallen Educators.

We all know the life-inspiring and life-changing role that teachers play in each of our lives. I dare say that we, all of us, have had teachers whose influence looms large through our lives because of something they once did to inspire, motivate, or equip us for the lives we lead through the decades that follow.

Often, their influence on us only becomes obvious as we look back on their role in our lives through the perspective of the years, by which time we have often lost them or lost touch with them. It is through official acts like this before us today that we can express our gratitude, if not individually, then collectively as a Nation.

I would also like to say, on a personal note, that our daughter, Shannah, began her career as a first grade teacher, and her mother and I couldn't be more proud of her.

The bill before us today is a small token of recognition to a small group of teachers, who not only dedicated their lives to teaching, but who gave their lives during the performance of their duties.

On June 12, 2014, the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas, dedicated the memorial to the 119 educators who have lost their lives while teaching since 1764.

This bill gives Federal recognition to this memorial, while retaining it under the jurisdiction of the National Teachers Hall of Fame. No taxpayer money will be used for it, and management will not be transferred to the National Park Service. But the bill will give official Federal recognition to it as a small token of respect and appreciation from the American people.

I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

This concludes six bills, all bipartisan, that have been reported out by the Natural Resources Committee today, and I think that is worthy of note. I want to again thank my Democratic colleague, Ms. Hanabusa, for her support and bipartisan cooperation on these measures. I urge adoption of the bill.

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

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Energy and Natural Resources Committee be discharged from further consideration of the following bills: S. 1438 and H.R. 1927; and that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of those bills and the following bills en bloc: Calendar No. 49, S. 35; Calendar No. 54, S. 432; Calendar No. 55, S. 466; Calendar No. 62, H.R. 267; Calendar No. 64, H.R. 560; Calendar No. 72, H.R. 699; Calendar No. 88, H.R. 863; Calendar No. 125, S. 167; Calendar No. 148, H.R. 381; Calendar No. 170, H.R. 954; H.R. 1242, received from the House; H.R. 1306, received from the House; and H.R. 2611, received from the House.

I further ask unanimous consent that, where applicable, the committee-reported amendments be agreed to, and the bills, as amended, if amended, be considered read a third time.

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 167 establishes Federal designation to an existing memorial recognizing fallen educators from across our country at the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas.

The Fallen Educators Memorial currently includes the names of educators and faculty from Columbine to Sandy Hook and many others who have lost their lives while serving our Nation's youth. The bill's designation will serve to further honor the countless educators that have given everything while on the job.

I support this legislation, and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of passing this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, April 16 and Tuesday, April 17, 2018, I was not present for recorded votes. I would have voted:

YES on roll call vote No. 140 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 146, as amended),

YES on roll call vote No. 141 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 167), and

YES on roll call vote No. 142 (on passage of H.R. 5192).

Mr. Speaker, on April 16, 2018, I was unavoidably detained and missed recorded votes No. 140 and 141. Had I been present, on Roll Call No. 140, H.R. 146, Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Acquisition Act, as amended, I would have voted YEA; and on Roll Call No. 141, S. 167, National Memorial to Fallen Educators Act, I would have voted YEA.