Press Release

ARCURI HONORS LOCAL TEACHERS

Washington, DC -- In recognition of National Teacher Appreciation Week, U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) joined a bipartisan majority in the U.S. House of Representatives to establish a National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate America’s teachers.

“As the father of three, I know just how important teachers are in the lives of our children – helping them grow and giving them the tools they need to succeed,” Arcuri said. “Setting aside one day to thank the teachers, coaches and principals who work in our communities is the least we can do to show our appreciation. I am committed to working with teachers and local schools to expand educational opportunities for our children and provide local communities with the resources they need to educate the next generation.”

Arcuri cosponsored House Resolution 952, which expressed the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in the United States. The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) established Teacher Appreciation Week as the first full week of May and recognizes the first Tuesday of this week, this year today, May 6th, as National Teacher Day.

“Making sure our children have the tools they need to succeed in a changing world is important not only for our families, but for our economy,” Arcuri said. “Wherever I go, I always hear the same thing, that one of our region’s strongest assets is our educational system – from Kindergarten to our world-class universities and colleges. Businesses rely on our schools to produce top-notch graduates, ready to be part of the changing economy.  I know our region holds tremendous promise for economic growth, and I will continue to join with teachers and school administrators to ensure our children have nothing but the best.”

Since taking office, Arcuri has supported legislation, passed by the House, to improve and reauthorize the national Head Start program, add thousands of highly qualified K-12 math and science teachers to our schools, and enact the largest increase in student aid since the GI Bill – cutting federal student loan rates and increasing federal Pell Grants.

###