Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform my colleagues that the classified annex to H.R. 2701, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, will be available for review by members during regular Committee business hours, beginning on Monday, July 6th, 2009.

Members will be required to complete the appropriate security paperwork to view any classified information.

Staff are requested to contact the Committee to schedule a viewing appointment for members.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Socorro High School baseball team for winning the 2009 Texas 5A State Baseball Championship. The Socorro High Bulldogs ended their championship season with an impressive record, becoming the second team in El Paso history to bring home the coveted state title.

The team was tested by fierce competitors from across the great State of Texas, one of the most competitive states in the entire nation for high school baseball. As the post-season progressed, the Bulldogs fended off tough challengers and finished with an impressive 35-4 record.

On Saturday, June 20th, the Bulldogs had their toughest test this year when they faced the Lufkin Panthers in the state championship game at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas, and were down 2-0 in the game's early innings. The talented young men on the Socorro Bulldog team never waivered and forged an impressive come-from-behind victory.

I am extremely proud of the dedication, determination, sportsmanship, and discipline of this talented baseball team and their Coach Chris Forbes. The members of this championship team are to be commended for their drive and perseverance. The 2009 team members include: Tavi Amparan, Chuy Diaz, Cory Falvey, Roger Favela, Chris Guzman, Eric Herrera, Bobby Mares, Sergio Mendoza, Marcus Molina, Armando Muniz, Jessirey Navarrete, Aaron Olivas, Josh Rodriguez, Rene Rodriguez, Oscar Sandate, Ivan Sigala, Angel Soria, George Stoltz, and Luis Yanez.

Head Coach Chris Forbes and his great team of assistant coaches, Joe Alvarez, Adrian Garcia, Federico Contreras, and Herbert Reyes, were the masterminds behind the team's success. Coach Forbes, in particular, instilled a sense of hard work and discipline that kept the players motivated throughout the regular season and post-season. As part of his 25-year career in coaching, the former Austin High School baseball player has taken Socorro to 20 playoff appearances. Coach Forbes also boasts the most wins (576) of any varsity baseball coach in El Paso.

The Bulldogs' championship title energized El Paso sports fans, as over a thousand parents and members of the community made the long journey to Round Rock to cheer the team to victory. This team will forever be remembered for its historic victory that brought the State Championship Trophy to El Paso, 60 years after the storied Bowie Bears baseball team achieved the same feat in 1949. I am proud to join my constituents from the 16th District of Texas in commending the Socorro Bulldogs baseball team for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding me time, and I also want to thank you for your support of the men and women of the United States Border Patrol and the important work that you

do through your chairmanship and the subcommittee that deals with border issues.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 498, a bill that honors and congratulates the United States Border Patrol on its 85th anniversary. And I also want to thank my good friend and neighbor, Harry Teague from New Mexico, the gentleman that has sponsored this legislation, for his support of the United States Border Patrol men and women. And the ranking member as well, thank you for your support. I think that the men and women of the United States Border Patrol do incredible work.

The United States Border Patrol has a unique and rich history that began on May 28, 1924, when Congress passed the Labor Appropriations Act which officially established the U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas, and Detroit, Michigan. Established during the height of Prohibition in the United States, the initial 450 patrol inspectors were not only charged with preventing the entry of undocumented immigrants into the United States but were also responsible for combating the entry of illicit liquor from Mexico and from Canada.

Eighty-five years later, the Border Patrol has evolved to include almost 19,000 agents in 20 sectors and 164 stations around our country. The brave men and women of the Border Patrol are currently responsible for securing 8,000 miles of our international borders, both with Mexico and Canada and the coastal water around Florida and Puerto Rico. Since 9/11, the Border Patrol has been on the front lines in our national strategy to detect and apprehend terrorists and their weapons as they attempt to illegally enter the United States.

Before coming to Congress, I served for 26\1/2\ years in the U.S. Border Patrol. For half of that time, I was a Border Patrol sector chief, first in McAllen, Texas, and then in El Paso, Texas. As the only Member of Congress with a background in border enforcement, I am keenly aware of the invaluable work that these brave men and women perform for our country each and every day. We have a lot to thank them for.

In these times of heightened security, the U.S. Border Patrol and those agents are not only vital in helping to protect our country from terror threats and illegal entry of drugs but they also apprehend and deter human smugglers and bring them to justice. Oftentimes these agents are the first people to respond in humanitarian situations in the desert by providing first aid, food, water, and shelter to people that have gotten in trouble because of the heat and the distance that they're forced to travel in remote areas. Border Patrol agents perform countless rescues every year and provide critical training to law enforcement, both at home and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Border Patrol is vital to our Homeland Security strategy and has evolved into one of our country's finest law enforcement organizations. I'm a proud cosponsor of Mr. Teague's resolution in honor of their 85th anniversary. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I thank the men and women of the United States Border Patrol for working each and every day to keep us safe.

Mr. Speaker, I wanted to clarify some comments in the Joint Explanatory Statement for the FY09 Consolidated Appropriations Act. That statement said, ``Further, that the Intelligence Community has studied other pay-for-performance efforts, both within the Community and the rest of government is encouraging. The executive branch started implementing this effort of September 14, 2008, and therefore the Intelligence Community is directed to ensure that full implementation of the system follows the principles of merit, transparency and fairness in a manner which is deliberate and methodical.''

I want to clarify that this statement was not intended as an endorsement of the current pay for performance system in the Intelligence Community, known as the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS), but as a statement of principles of what such a system should be.

We all believe that the civil service personnel system should be based on merit principles and be transparent, and fair. It is our commitment to these principles that have led some of us to ask that these systems be reviewed. We have been concerned that the implementation of DCIPS lacks transparency, may adversely affect minorities, and may undermine collaboration. In particular, Chairman Skelton and I requested that the Administration pause implementation of DCIPS. In response, the Intelligence Community announced to the field that they would be pausing implementation of DCIPS. I welcome this action so the Administration can take the time to review both the substance and implementation plan for DCIPS. I note that the Administration has frozen the implementation of the National Security Personnel System (NSPS), and is reviewing that system as well, and I would welcome similar action in the Intelligence Community.

Madam Speaker, El Paso, Texas has a strong history of public service. Everywhere in our community we are surrounded by people working for the common good and devoting their lives to helping others. Our city is very fortunate to count on local, county, state, and federal employees, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that our children are taught, our sick are provided the medical care they need, and everyday citizens have access to vital services.

Our public servants are not recognized or thanked enough for the work they do. In honor of public service recognition week, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for our public servants in El Paso, Texas. Here are just a few examples of those who continue to make significant contributions to our community.

Mrs. Deborah Hamlyn is a homegrown El Pasoan and veteran City employee of over 30 years. After being recruited by the City of El Paso for an internship with the Planning Department, Ms. Hamlyn continued to advance within the organization. She maintained various planning positions and in 1987 ultimately became the first female Director of Community and Human Development where she remained for over 15 years. Ms. Hamlyn now serves as Deputy City Manager and has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life of her fellow El Pasoans.

Mr. Ray Resendez, III serves as the Regional Liasion Manager for the Governor's State Division of Emergency Management. After 20 years of serving the El Paso community as a firefighter, Mr. Resendez spends his energy making sure that our community is prepared for any unforeseen disaster or emergency. In these times of a heightened state of alert, Mr. Resendez serves the people of El Paso well, with great dedication and passion.

Another great example is Mr. Rodney Thompson at the Veterans Affairs Office in El Paso. He has worked diligently over the years to ensure that our nation cares for our veterans and affords them the dignity and respect that they deserve. He manages our veterans' cases and has been a great partner.

In addition to Mr. Thompson, our seniors and veterans in El Paso are fortunate to have people like Mrs. Rosanna Monge, a nurse practitioner at the El Paso Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic. Mrs. Monge has been a reliable advocate for our veterans when it comes to their health needs and is passionately committed to taking care of these men and women who have given so much.

Mrs. Nellie Velez is another great example of an outstanding public servant. She is the District Manager at the Social Security Administration in El Paso and takes great care in advocating on behalf of our seniors.

Ms. Isabel Mullens, the Acting Assistant Director of Field Operations at Customs and Border Protection in El Paso, has also devoted much of her life to serving our community. She started her career with the federal government on November 12, 1973. Initially hired as a GS-02 clerk at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, she has risen to her current position through years of hard work and dedication. Thousands of people cross back and forth from El Paso, Texas to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico both on foot and by car as our communities share strong economic, social, and cultural ties. Mrs. Mullens serves our community with compassion and vigilance ensuring that our ports facilitate trade and commerce and are safe and secure.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent the people of the 16th Congressional District. Our community is vibrant and strong because of the individuals I have highlighted and the thousands of other public servants in El Paso who take pride in their work and their service to our nation. I salute all our public servants and honor them for their efforts.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism Education (GIVE) Act of 2009, also known as the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

The GIVE Act is designed to support and encourage community service across the country in fields such as education and healthcare. This Act empowers more Americans to take an active role in their communities through public service. Civic participation has the power to not only build confidence in the individual but simultaneously prepare our nation for the future.

The GIVE Act creates 175,000 new service opportunities, increasing the number of participants in programs such as Ameri-Corps and establishes new service programs such as the Clean Energy Corps, Education Corps, Healthy Futures Corps, and a Veterans Service Corps. One goal of the Act will be to strengthen and coordinate disaster relief efforts through the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) to provide relief for communities that have suffered natural disasters and emergencies.

Despite the economic challenges that our country currently faces, it is particularly encouraging that young Americans are serving in record numbers. Volunteerism among college students is especially high, with the percentage of college students who volunteer each year exceeding 30%. The GIVE Act will not only support existing volunteers but will also give younger students the opportunity to serve even before they enter college. The Summer of Service and Campus of Service Programs focus on encouraging middle and high school students to participate in volunteer activities and also assist college students with an interest in public service careers. These programs will place the prospect of a college education within the reach of many students by offering monetary assistance for college. Specifically, it increases the full- time education award that servicemembers can receive to $5,350.

It is important to acknowledge that students are not the only ones taking the initiative to rebuild our country. Currently, Senior Corps consists of roughly 475,000 volunteers who collectively contribute 116 million hours of service each year. The GIVE Act will increase these figures by creating Silver Scholarships and Encore Fellowships to offer all Americans over the age of 55 the chance to transition into service after retirement.

I believe that service is key to building character and instilling values in our young people. Even before taking office, President Obama consistently called on all Americans to serve, and I believe his life exemplifies the power of public service. I am proud that Congress has answered his call for service through this legislation.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership of the committee and for the inclusive process that he has utilized to come up with this budget resolution.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 85, and I urge my colleagues to vote for this budget because, at a time when Americans are looking for leadership, at a time when they are looking for this new administration to keep our country safe, this budget resolution provides the tools to do just that. It provides increased support for our national security, it increases the funding for the Department of Defense and for the veterans budget. It also funds above the administration's defense request.

These additions help this country meet its military goals, it supports the efforts to reform the acquisition program, it supports the efforts to improve facilities, it supports and sets out important steps to help our country care for our wounded, our ill, and our injured servicemembers.

The resolution matches the President's request for overseas operations. Having his separate request is important. It provides the transparency that has been missing in describing the real cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This funding is important as we sustain our efforts in Iraq with an eye towards responsibly reducing troop levels throughout the coming 2 years. This funding is also important because it supports the administration's new Afghanistan strategy, and the intelligence community stands committed to supporting the new strategy using every means possible to attain success in Afghanistan.

Our intelligence professionals stand ready to not only continue their support to the war fighter, but also to continue their support to the policymakers that are working on issues that affect not just our country but the entire world.

Again, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution. Americans are smart. They know who got us in this mess. They know what administration inherited a surplus and what administration inherited a mess. The record is clear. The dog they have sent out isn't hunting.

Madam Speaker, El Paso, Texas has a history of producing strong, passionate, and caring educators who motivate and engage our children to become lifelong learners. As a parent and grandparent, I am grateful for the contributions of our teachers in the El Paso area, and today I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Clarence K. Stark, a teacher at Irvin High School in the El Paso Independent School District, for being selected as the 1970 Texas Teacher of the Year. The Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor that the State of Texas can award to a teacher. Facilitated by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Teacher of the Year Program annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching. Mr. Clarence K. Stark represents the best of the best in the teaching profession, and we salute his energy, efforts, and dedication.

Mr. Stark taught government at Irvin High School in the El Paso Independent School District. In 1968 Mr. Stark impressed his colleagues with his work. Both that year and in 1969, Mr. Stark was voted as outstanding teacher of the year for Irvin High School and he was noted as saying: ``I feel very honored, grateful, and humble that my fellow teachers selected me as outstanding teacher.'' Mr. Stark's social sciences department aimed to prepare young people to be tomorrow's leaders and his devotion to his students is greatly admired by teachers at his school. Mr. Stark embodies the qualities of great leaders and his passion to reach every student at Irvin High School is a testament to his character.

Mr. Clarence K. Stark is part of a larger history of educational excellence in El Paso. I am proud to note that to date El Paso area educators have been chosen as Texas Teachers of the Year 9 times. The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.

I am proud of the work of our teachers, and I am committed to ensuring that education remains a top priority in this Congress.

Madam Speaker, El Paso, Texas is extremely fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the state and the country. As a parent and grandparent, I am appreciative of the work and dedication of our teachers and I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the life and work of the late Mrs. Rita Harlien, a former teacher at Eastwood High School in the Ysleta Independent School District, for her dedication to her students and her designation as the 1982 Texas Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Rita Harlien received the highest honor that the State of Texas can award and her work with children is long lasting and enduring. Her children and the legacy she left behind remain alive in the community of El Paso, Texas.

While teaching at Eastwood High School, her students competed in many University Interscholastic League State competitions and won a state championship in debate. In 1978 she was selected as Speech Teacher of the Year. In 1981 she served as President of the Texas Speech Communication Association. While working for the El Paso Independent School District, she completed her administration certification and coauthored two speech textbooks. After serving six years in administration, as a Facilitator of Academic Competition, in the El Paso District, Mrs. Harlien's love for teaching beckoned her back to Eastwood High School where she taught drama until she retired from teaching in 1998, after 34 years of service.

Mrs. Rita Harlien is part of a larger history of educational excellence in El Paso. I am proud to note that to date El Paso area educators have been chosen as Texas Teachers of the Year nine times. The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.

I am proud of the work of our teachers, and I am committed to ensuring that education remains a top priority in this Congress.

Madam Speaker, the El Paso, Texas community is proud to have some of the best teachers in the country. Today, I would like to acknowledge one of those, Ms. Rosa E. Lujan, a teacher at Ysleta Elementary School in the Ysleta Independent School District, for being selected as the 1992 Texas Teacher of the Year. Ms. Lujan received the highest honor that the State of Texas can award to a teacher because of her commitment to the children of El Paso. The Texas Education Agency annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and excelled in the classroom. Ms. Rosa E. Lujan represents the best of the teaching profession, and on behalf of the El Paso, Texas community, I applaud her dedication to our schools.

Ms. Rosa E. Lujan's love of teaching was ignited in her teens as a student at Ysleta High School. During the summer, she worked as an aide for South Loop and Ysleta Elementary School. Later on, at the University of Texas at El Paso, she started working for the Ysleta Independent School District as a fourth grade teacher. She has been noted to say: ``Being a teacher has allowed me to change children's lives. Hopefully, I have inspired children to believe in themselves, just as my teachers inspired me.'' After 35 years in education, her passion for students and learning is still burning.

Ms. Rosa E. Lujan is part of a larger history of educational excellence in El Paso. I am proud to note that to date, El Paso area educators have been chosen as Texas Teachers of the Year nine times. The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.

I am proud of the work of our teachers, and I am committed to ensuring that education remains a top priority in this Congress.

Madam Speaker, El Paso, Texas has many great teachers and today I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my long- time friend Miguel Ignacio Tinajero, a teacher at Ramona Elementary School in the Ysleta Independent School District, for being selected as the 1995 Texas Teacher of the Year. This is the highest honor that the State of Texas can award to a teacher and the program selects only the best teachers to represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year Program. Mr. Miguel Ignacio Tinajero is one of the finest teachers in the El Paso area community, and I am grateful that he has served our children with such passion and dedication.

Mr. Miguel Ignacio Tinajero is recognized for his innovative approach and teaching methods to reach bilingual students. He developed effective programs to teach children both academic and literacy skills and became the favorite teacher of the fifth- and sixth-graders at Ramona Elementary School. Mr. Tinajero is praised by students, parents, and fellow teachers in the El Paso community for his dedication and commitment to youth.

Mr. Miguel Ignacio Tinajero is part of a larger history of educational excellence in El Paso. I am proud to note that to date El Paso area educators have been chosen as Texas Teachers of the Year nine times. The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.

I am proud of the work of our teachers, and I am committed to ensuring that education remains a top priority in this Congress. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, El Paso, Texas has a history of producing strong, passionate, and caring educators who motivate and engage our children to become lifelong learners. As a parent and grandparent, I am grateful for the contributions of our teachers in the El Paso area, and today I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Antonio A. Fierro, a teacher at Sierra Vista Elementary School in the Socorro Independent School District, for being selected as the 1997 Texas Teacher of the Year. The Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor that the State of Texas can award to a teacher. Facilitated by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Teacher of the Year Program annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching. Mr. Antonio E. Fierro represents the best of the best in the teaching profession, and we salute his energy, efforts, and dedication.

Mr. Fierro knew from a young age that he would be teacher. His grandmother retired as a principal in Mexico, and he has vivid memories of sitting in his sixth grade social studies class and imagining himself teaching in front of a classroom. Fierro attended El Paso Community College and graduated with honors

from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1986. He firmly believes that ``a positive and caring classroom strengthens a child's self- esteem and self worth.'' He has added that this ``knits all [his] philosophies of teaching and learning together.''

Mr. Antonio A. Fierro is part of a larger history of educational excellence in El Paso. I am proud to note that to date El Paso area educators have been chosen as Texas Teachers of the Year nine times. The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.

I am proud of the work of our teachers, and I am committed to ensuring that education remains a top priority in this Congress.

Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize the 100th anniversary of the YWCA's El Paso del Norte Region. Since April 8, 1909, this exemplary organization has helped many women and their families reach their fullest potential.

In its 100 years of service to the region, the YWCA El Paso del Norte exemplifies the positive impact volunteerism and service to others can have on a community. For years, the YWCA has played a major role in addressing the various socioeconomic challenges faced by women and minorities throughout our Nation. The personal experiences of many individuals in my district show how our local YWCA has brought to life its mission of empowering women and their families as well as promoting equal opportunities for all.

Every year, the lives of more than 62,000 people in the 17 counties of west Texas and southern New Mexico are touched by the volunteers and staff of the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region. Our local chapter places a great value on building up and strengthening families by providing women of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds with the support they need. Using a holistic approach, the services and programs of the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region promote the overall well-being of women and their families in order to provide opportunities for women to help themselves and each other. This unique environment allows women and girls from all walks of life to come together to develop life skills, as well as

discover and develop their personal strengths. All of these efforts lead to lasting positive changes in their lives and their entire communities.

The good work done by our local YWCA chapter has inspired many of my constituents to give back to their community through volunteer work and community service. In the El Paso region, over 200 volunteers generously dedicate more than 40,000 hours every year to the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region. One of the many important lessons this group of dedicated individuals has instilled in my community is that creating a stronger, more united community begins with building up our youth and their families.

Today, I am proud to recognize and express my deep gratitude for the 100 years of service and contributions of the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region. My Congressional district is fortunate to have an organization such as this one, and I am hopeful that the next 100 years will be as robust and successful as the first.

Madam Speaker, El Paso, Texas has a history of producing strong, passionate, and caring educators who motivate and engage our children to become life-long learners. As a parent and grandparent, I am grateful for the contributions of our teachers in the El Paso area, and today I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Ms. Kyann McMillie, a teacher at Canutillo Elementary School in the Canutillo Independent School District, for being selected as the 2004 Texas Teacher of the Year. The Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor that the State of Texas can award to a teacher. Facilitated by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Teacher of the Year Program annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching. Ms. Kyann McMillie represents the best of the best in the teaching profession, and we salute her energy, efforts, and dedication.

Ms. McMillie received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Western New Mexico University and a Masters degree in education from The University of Texas at El Paso. Ms. Kyann McMillie's lifelong aspiration was to be an attorney or an accountant but she decided to pursue a career in teaching. She earned her teaching credentials and taught first and second grade at Canutillo Elementary School. Ms. McMillie says that, ``patience and nurturing are key when dealing with children.'' She firmly believes that to understand another person, ``we must understand the situation from which they come.''

Ms. Kyann McMillie is part of a larger history of educational excellence in El Paso. I am proud to note that to date El Paso area educators have been chosen as Texas Teachers of the Year nine times. The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.

I am proud of the work of our teachers, and I am committed to ensuring that education remains a top priority in this Congress.

Madam Speaker, the community of El Paso, Texas is extremely grateful for its teachers. The El Paso area has been recognized year after year for the great work our teachers do in the classroom. As a parent and grandparent, I am grateful for their contributions. Today, I want to acknowledge Ms. Dana K. Boyd, a teacher at Dolphin Terrace Elementary School in the Ysleta Independent School District, for being selected as the 2007 Texas Teacher of the Year. Facilitated by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Teacher of the Year Program annually recognizes outstanding teachers who have demonstrated the kind of vision and excellence in teaching that is moving our education system forward. The Texas Teacher of the Year designation is the highest honor that the State of Texas can award to a teacher.

Ms. Boyd has taught first, second, and third grade at Dolphin Terrace Elementary since 1999. She seeks to create a relaxing, non-threatening environment in her classroom and has been noted to say: ``my students know they are the brightest kids in the grade level [because] once they believe they are the smartest students in their hearts and minds . . . [I] am able [to set and] keep those high standards.'' She works hard to establish a sense of family in her classroom. Before school starts each year, Ms. Boyd calls each student and their family. On the first day of school, Ms. Boyd tells her students that ``the people they are sitting next to are like a second family.'' Every three months, her class has a potluck luncheon and students and parents get to know each other better while sharing a meal. With this caring approach, she has helped her students deal with difficult situations, and she firmly believes that every teacher should treat each student as they would treat their own child.

Ms. Dana K. Boyd is part of a larger history of educational excellence in El Paso. I am proud to note that to date El Paso area educators have been chosen as Texas Teachers of the Year nine times. The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.

I am proud of the work of our teachers, and I am committed to ensuring that education remains a top priority in this Congress.