SE Kansas City News

(Washington, D.C.) – On May 8, 2023, in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sam Graves (R-MO) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize America’s teachers and the invaluable impact they have on students and communities across the country. The bipartisan resolution underscores the important role that teachers play in preparing kids to be productive, responsible, and successful citizens, and encourages every American to demonstrate appreciation for the teachers in their life.

“National Teacher Appreciation Week is a time for all Americans to come together and give thanks to the teachers that have left an indelible impact on their life or the lives of their children,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While I have been blessed to have had numerous teachers that positively helped shape the course of my life, Mrs. Alma Holland was the one who taught me the power of words and how they can inspire change, igniting a lifelong passion for language and public speaking. In honor of Mrs. Holland, the remarkable teachers of Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, and every teacher across the United States, I’m proud to introduce a bipartisan resolution recognizing the service and sacrifice of America’s educators—and I call on every American to take some time this week to give thanks and show their appreciation for a teacher in their life.”

“America’s teachers go above and beyond to educate the next generation,” said Congressman Graves. “They work tirelessly—often through breaks, weekends, and weeknights—to prepare our children to achieve great things in life. None of us—myself included—would be where we are today without the work of dedicated educators. It doesn’t matter where you live or where you were raised, every American has a story about how a teacher changed their life. I’m forever grateful to the dedicated educators who made a difference in my life, my children’s lives, and are making a difference in the lives of my grandchildren today. Thank you to all of America’s teachers for their service to our communities and families. May we always remember how important they are—during Teacher Appreciation Week and every other week of the year.”

Congressman Cleaver has been an ardent supporter of Missouri teachers and public education in the United States, consistently voting to increase funding for public schools and teacher pay. In February, Congressman Cleaver co-introduced the American Teacher Act, which would provide federal grants that incentivize states to establish a statewide K-12 teacher salary requirement of at least $60,000, ensuring the average Missouri teacher would receive an almost $9,000 raise.

The bipartisan resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Mark Alford (R-MO), Becca Balint (D-VT), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Troy Carter (D-LA), Ed Case (D-HI), Judy Chu (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Jason Crow (D-CO), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), David Joyce (R-OH), Bill Keating (D-MA), John Larson (D-CT), Susie Lee (D-NV), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Joseph Morelle (D-IN), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Katie Porter (D-CA), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), David Trone (D-MD), David Valadao (R-CA), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

Official text of the resolution from Reps. Cleaver and Graves is available here.