Political Quotes

“I ask unanimous consent that a copy of my remarks at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing yesterday be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Supporting Teachers and School Leaders Today's hearing is all about better teaching--how we can create an environment so teachers, principals, and other leaders can succeed. Governors around the country are focused on one issue: better jobs for the citizens in their states. And it doesn't take very long for a governor, which I once was, to come to the conclusion that better schools mean better jobs and a better life. Since no one has figured out how to pass a better parents law, it doesn't take long to realize how important a great teacher is. I certainly came to that conclusion quickly in 1984, when I was governor of Tennessee and I considered the holy grail of K-12 education to be finding a fair way to encourage and reward outstanding teaching. I spent a year and a half, devoting 70 percent of my time, persuading the legislature to establish a career ladder--a master teacher program that 10,000 teachers voluntarily climbed. They were paid more and had the opportunity for 10- and 11-month contracts. Tennessee became the first state in the nation to pay teachers more for teaching well. Rarely a week goes by that a teacher doesn't stop me and say, ``Thank you for the master teacher program.'' It was not easy.…”