Charles F. Bass

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 614, 615, 617, 618, and 619, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 616, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elizabeth ``Libby'' Curran, who was recently named Teacher of the Year by People Magazine, one of only five educators across the country to receive this award for her efforts to change the lives of her students.

Libby is a special education teacher at Richards Elementary School in Newport, New Hampshire. She also serves as a district trainer for Newport School District's Alternative Assessment Program, mentoring her colleagues and serving as a role model for new educators.

Libby's dedication to her students goes beyond the classroom and normal school hours. She created a successful afterschool reading buddies program for students to improve their reading skills by reading to each other, and Libby has encouraged 500 children and their families become regular library users. Libby even writes and illustrates small hand-made books that she distributes to her students. As Libby says in the magazine, ``Reading is the key to success, not just in school, but also in life.''

Our children's success in the classroom starts with great teachers, and Libby is a terrific example of the caliber of teachers we are proud to have in the Granite State. It is an honor to represent Libby in the United States Congress, and I wish her all the best as she continues to touch the lives of so many students in New Hampshire and beyond.