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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E314-E315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING TINA BROWN AS THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOR DISTRICT 15
______
HON. JASON SMITH
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate
Tina Brown of Kennett, Missouri, on being awarded the Teacher of the
Year for District 15 from the VFW. Every year, VFW posts throughout the
United States honor teachers who promote America's history, traditions
and civic education. This year, the award went to a woman from
Southeast Missouri who has set a profound example of patriotism and
civic responsibility for future generations of Missourians.
[[Page E315]]
Tina Brown has been teaching at Kennett Middle School for 23 years.
Every year she plans a trip for her students to attend the Wreaths
Across America ceremony. She has also organized trips to treasured
archives and military memorials throughout the state of Missouri and in
the heart of Southeast Missouri such as the Stars and Stripes Museum in
Bloomfield, Missouri. She even brought a class out to Washington, D.C.
where I had the opportunity to meet these young students on the steps
of the United States Capitol building and where her students were able
to see the Vietnam War memorial. Trips like these are an important part
of her teaching. They help students experience our nation's history in
a tangible, lasting way and educate our future generations on the world
of opportunities ahead of them.
Tina's phenomenal generosity extends beyond the classroom. She was
the Chairperson of the Gold Star Monument for Dunklin county in 2019
and helped organize middle school students to raise money for this
monument. Her efforts were fueled by her firm belief that there was a
need in the community to recognize the families who have lost loved
ones in service to our country. The monument is now awaiting placement
in downtown Kennett, where it will be a reminder of those brave lives
lost and of the compassion and patriotism of community members such as
Tina.
I'm inspired not only by Tina's work but by her dedication to our
servicemen and women. Tina's brother Frankie died while fighting for
his country in Vietnam. Frankie was one of the brave young men that
risked their lives for the sake of our country and tragically passed
away fighting for our freedom. Tina was young when her brother died but
remembers the profound loss that her family felt with Frankie's
passing. By teaching the importance of leadership and patriotism to her
students, she honors his memory and keeps it alive for herself and
others.
Tina is retiring from teaching this year to spend more time on the
farm with her family. She will be greatly missed by students, faculty,
and community members alike whose lives have been touched by her
generosity and patriotism, as I have been.
Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Tina Brown for
receiving this award.