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Hosts Lunch for Agnes Meyer Winners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, May 08, 2006
WALDORF, MD – In celebration of National Teachers Appreciation Week, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) today hosted the winners of the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award and other outstanding local educators for lunch in Waldorf.
“Most of us owe our teachers a great debt, not only for our education in the classroom, but for inspiring and encouraging us to be and do better,” Hoyer said. “I hope Marylanders will join me in honoring our teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to local communities.”
Hoyer said teachers are critical to the nation’s competitiveness in the global economy. A Committee of the National Academy of Sciences, which included Maryland Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick, released an important report last fall called “Rising Against the Gathering Storm.” In calling for a major investment to increase the number of math and science teachers, it stated, “this nation must prepare with great urgency to preserve its strategic and economic security.” To address this call, House Democrats launched an “Innovation Agenda” earlier this year which included a substantial proposal to increase the number of U.S. math and science teachers by 10,000 annually. “This type of commitment to our nation’s teachers is critical to future competitiveness,” Hoyer said.
Hoyer expressed his disappointment that President Bush’s proposed budget cuts overall education funding by 3.8 percent, and eliminates 42 education programs, including many critical to Maryland.
In addition, No Child Left Behind funding is $15.4 billion short of the amount promised by the President. “His budget fails to keep the bipartisan promise of No Child Left Behind, the landmark education law that aimed to increase performance and accountability in all public schools,” Hoyer said.
“America must give teachers the tools and rewards they deserve – a livable salary, safe classrooms, and sufficient resources for quality instruction – if they are to meet the high expectations we’ve set,” added Hoyer. “If we forsake our obligation to teachers, the future of America’s children is at risk.”
Each year, the Washington Post honors exceptional men and women in each of the 19 local public school systems with the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.
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