Roskam Speaks Out in Support of Teachers on the House Floor

Mr. Speaker,

Today I rise for National Teacher Appreciation Day. I would like to thank Ms. Lillian Anderson who gave me my first exposure to government with a 4th grade class history project on the State of Illinois at Ben Franklin School in Glen Ellyn. I still have the folder with the assignment featured in my district office to remind me of why I entered public service. Unfortunately, Ms. Anderson passed away a few years ago but I am reminded of her invaluable contributions to the community every time I am back home

We often take our teachers for granted. We drop our children off at school or send them to the bus stop and pick them up at the end of the day, but the job of our nation’s teachers is hardly 9-5. It starts well before the children arrive and continues long after they leave.

We forget that the job involves countless hours of preparation; weekends spent shopping for supplies, and most importantly working with our students to help them become the next generation of authors, doctors, young professionals, and yes, even teachers.

I encourage everyone to take time at their next parent teacher conference or other interaction with you children’s teacher to take a moment and thank them for all the hard work they are doing to prepare the next generation.

Thank you and I yield back.