February 25, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 34 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages H2060-H2062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENT IN CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ACT

  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 276) to direct the Secretary of Education to establish 
the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award Program 
recognizing excellence exhibited by classified school employees 
providing services to students in prekindergarten through high school.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 276

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Recognizing Achievement in 
     Classified School Employees Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Classified school employees provide valuable service in 
     the United States.
       (2) Classified school employees provide essential services, 
     such as transportation, facilities maintenance and 
     operations, food service, safety, and health care.
       (3) Classified school employees play a vital role in 
     providing for the welfare and safety of students.
       (4) Classified school employees strive for excellence in 
     all areas of service to the education community.
       (5) Exemplary classified school employees should be 
     recognized for their outstanding contributions to quality 
     education in the United States.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Classified school employee.--The term ``classified 
     school employee'' means an employee of a State or of any 
     political subdivision of a State, or an employee of a 
     nonprofit entity, who works in any grade from prekindergarten 
     through high school in any of the following occupational 
     specialties:
       (A) Paraprofessional, including paraeducator services.
       (B) Clerical and administrative services.
       (C) Transportation services.
       (D) Food and nutrition services.
       (E) Custodial and maintenance services.
       (F) Security services.
       (G) Health and student services.
       (H) Technical services.
       (I) Skilled trades.
       (2) Other definitions.--The terms used in this Act have the 
     meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

     SEC. 4. RECOGNITION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall establish 
     a national recognition program to be known as the 
     ``Recognizing Inspiring School Employees Award Program'' or 
     the ``award program''. The purpose of the award program shall 
     be to recognize and promote the commitment and excellence 
     exhibited by classified school employees who provide 
     exemplary service to students in prekindergarten through high 
     school.
       (b) Award.--
       (1) In general.--Prior to May 31 of each year (beginning 
     with the second calendar year that begins after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall select a 
     classified school employee to receive the Recognizing 
     Inspiring School Employees Award for the year.
       (2) Non-monetary value.--The award and recognition provided 
     under this Act shall have no monetary value.
       (c) Selection Process.--
       (1) Nomination process.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than November 1 of each year 
     (beginning with the first calendar year that begins after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall 
     solicit nominations of classified school employees from the 
     occupational specialties described in section 3(1) from the 
     Governor of each State.
       (B) Nomination submissions.--In order for individuals in a 
     State to be eligible to receive recognition under this 
     section, the

[[Page H2061]]

     Governor of the State shall consider nominations submitted by 
     the following:
       (i) Local educational agencies.
       (ii) School administrators.
       (iii) Professional associations.
       (iv) Labor organizations.
       (v) Educational service agencies.
       (vi) Nonprofit entities.
       (vii) Parents and students.
       (viii) Any other group determined appropriate by the 
     Secretary.
       (2) Demonstration.--Each Governor of a State who desires 
     individuals in the State to receive recognition under this 
     section shall submit the nominations described in paragraph 
     (1) to the Secretary in such manner as may be required by the 
     Secretary. Each such nomination shall contain, at a minimum, 
     demonstrations of excellence in the following areas:
       (A) Work performance.
       (B) School and community involvement.
       (C) Leadership and commitment.
       (D) Local support.
       (E) Enhancement of classified school employees' image in 
     the community and schools.
       (3) Selection.--The Secretary shall develop uniform 
     national guidelines for evaluating nominations submitted 
     under paragraph (2) in order to select the most deserving 
     nominees based on the demonstrations made in the areas 
     described in such paragraph.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Nevada (Mrs. Lee) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Nevada.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Nevada?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, despite being under the weather, I decided to come down 
here to thank my colleague and the dean of our delegation, 
Congresswoman Dina Titus, for leading this bipartisan effort.
  This legislation would establish the Classified School Employee of 
the Year RISE Award Program to recognize the achievements and 
contributions of classified school employees to student education in 
schools across the country.
  Classified school employees are critical members of the education 
workforce, making up one out of every three public school employees who 
assist students in our Nation's public schools. Classified school 
employees provide essential services, such as transportation, 
facilities maintenance and operations, food service, safety, and 
healthcare.
  It is past time that the U.S. Department of Education recognize the 
tireless efforts of our Nation's outstanding classified school 
employees. The stature of the Secretary of Education in recognizing the 
RISE Award will provide national leadership and partnership to 
encourage broad participation in the development, selection, and 
recognition process.
  Classified school employees across the country do extraordinary and 
inspirational things in their schools and communities to promote 
quality education, foster positive learning environments, and ensure 
student success. The RISE Award will recognize the contributions of 
classified school employees to student success.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 276. I thank my 
colleagues across the aisle, the gentlewoman from Nevada, and also all 
those who are original cosponsors in support of this bill.
  It is not uncommon for a school employee to make a lasting impression 
on a student or even on entire generations of students. Front office 
attendants, school custodians, school safety personnel, food service 
workers, and others all interface directly with countless students 
every day. Many of these school employees make lifelong impacts on the 
students who they serve.
  Ask any student and they will probably tell you about a particular 
school employee who may not have been their teacher, but, nevertheless, 
imparted crucial life lessons upon them or inspired joy and confidence 
in students who struggled to find either. Schools are made better by 
these leaders, and students benefit from their kindness, 
thoughtfulness, compassion, and respect that they show to others around 
them.
  Mr. Speaker, these employees truly go above and beyond the call of 
duty to serve American students, and their steadfast devotion deserves 
our appreciation and recognition.
  H.R. 276, the Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees 
Act, will direct the Secretary of Education to establish the 
Recognizing Inspiring School Employees Award, otherwise known as the 
RISE Award. The RISE Award will be presented each year to a classified 
school employee in a nonteaching position in recognition of their 
invaluable contribution to the lives of students at the schools that 
they serve.
  The award will be nonmonetary and will go to employees who 
demonstrate excellent work performance, school and community 
involvement, leadership, and commitment, and who exemplify the very 
best of what it means to be a classified school employee.
  H.R. 276 is just one small way to honor the men and women in our 
communities who demonstrate to students what it means to be outstanding 
citizens and civic leaders. Their tireless efforts deserve our 
recognition and thanks. I urge my colleagues in the House to support 
this commonsense legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Nevada (Ms. Titus), the lead sponsor of H.R. 276.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding and for her 
support of this bill that creates the RISE Award.
  I would like to address the bill before you by telling you the story 
of Ms. Virginia Mills. Ms. Mills started her career as a security guard 
at William E. Orr Middle School in District One in Las Vegas over two 
decades ago.

  Almost immediately upon getting to the school, she saw that children 
were going to school without backpacks on their shoulders to carry 
their books and equipment. She saw athletes trying out for the 
basketball team without having the proper shoes on their feet. She saw 
children who didn't have enough clothes to make it through the whole 
week without changing.
  So in her very first month on the job, taking old items from her own 
daughter's closet, she started a clothes closet for middle school 
students in need. She first enlisted the help of friends, then 
teachers, and then community members. Eventually, the closet grew to 
include school supplies and even food for children to take home on the 
weekends, when they might otherwise go hungry.
  Ms. Mills has watched these students grow over the years to become 
assemblymen and -women in the legislature, business leaders, and 
community organizers. She said: ``Giving a helping hand to these 
students has inspired them to become better adults . . . . They now 
understand the importance of paying it forward.''
  Virginia Mills has improved the lives of so many middle school 
students in my district, and she has filled a gap that too many young 
people are in danger of falling into. And she wanted me to tell you 
that she didn't do it alone.
  There are countless people in our schools, including security guards 
who do more than keep students safe; they keep them motivated. There 
are bus drivers who provide more than just a ride; they offer 
friendship. There are counselors and nurses and cafeteria workers who 
strive tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of our 
students in our schools. Yet, too often, their contributions go 
unrecognized.
  That is why I introduced this bipartisan legislation to celebrate the 
critical role that school staff plays in helping our students learn and 
enabling our teachers to teach.

                              {time}  1730

  The contributions of these vital school employees can't really be 
measured, but they can and should be recognized.
  It is in our children's interest and certainly in our national 
interest for the Department of Education to

[[Page H2062]]

present these RISE Awards to people like Virginia Mills who have made 
such a profound impact on our Nation's youth. So for those who work so 
hard to help our students become the best versions of themselves, I 
urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the story that was shared about the woman 
working in that school district. I think we all probably have those 
stories as we think fondly back on our school experiences, whether it 
was elementary or high school, about individuals who weren't 
necessarily teachers but were still very influential in making an 
impression and setting a great example to be followed in so many 
different ways. That is why I am so pleased to be able to support this 
piece of legislation.
  I have had the privilege and honor to be in our schools that are 
recognized as the Blue Ribbon Schools and Schools to Watch, and those 
are wonderful. They are wonderful not just because of what has been 
accomplished for those kids, but they do become an inspiration to other 
schools to strive for and to achieve.
  What this piece of legislation does, Mr. Speaker, is to take that 
down to the staff level, because we know that the most valuable 
resource and asset that we have in our schools are people--not 
necessarily the classroom or anything that is physical like that, but 
it is the teachers, the faculty, and the staff. Being able to recognize 
the staff who work so hard each and every day there who are not 
necessarily teachers is a great opportunity.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I certainly am very excited about supporting 
this piece of legislation, H.R. 276. I urge my colleagues to vote 
``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  In closing, I would like to thank Representative Titus for her 
leadership in bringing forth this bipartisan piece of legislation.
  When it comes to delivering the promise of a great public school for 
every child, it is a team effort. Classified employees keep the lights 
on, students fed, and learning environments safe and welcoming.
  This past year, we have seen unprecedented activism from teachers and 
school staff demanding better support for public schools across the 
country. While the media often speaks first about the contributions and 
working conditions for classroom teachers, it is important to recognize 
that behind every teacher is an army of classified school employees.
  Passing this bill to recognize the contributions of classified school 
employees is an important first step, but I urge this body to do more. 
We must come together and continue to work across the aisle to invest 
in public education. We must invest in the staff who support our public 
schools and in students who count on public schools to reach their 
academic potential.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope that swift passage of H.R. 276 is just the 
beginning, and I look forward to future action in this Chamber in 
support of public schools. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Nevada (Mrs. Lee) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 276.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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