Congratulating Hawaii Teach for America Teachers

Floor Speech

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Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say aloha and congratulations to the newest cohort of Teach For America (TFA) Hawaii.

TFA, a critical national nonprofit partner since 1989 in our effort to eliminate educational inequality, continues its mission to ``enlist, develop, and mobilize as many as possible of our Nation's most promising future leaders to grow and strengthen the movement for educational excellence.'' By recruiting and training college graduates to teach in high-need schools for at least two years, it aims to expand educational opportunities for all.

This school year, TFA Hawaii marks its 20th year of service to the State of Hawaii by welcoming 103 corps members to classrooms across our islands. In total, the TFA network in Hawaii now has 631 corps members and alumni, collectively improving the lives of over 18,000 students.

I especially commend the program's focus on locally-rooted leadership. TFA Hawaii has recruited 259 corps members and alumni who are kama`aina, born and raised in our islands, including 89 Kanaka Maoli. They embody the sense of kuleana and community responsibility necessary to provide critical education support for our keiki.

The impacts of our TFA Hawaii kumu--or teachers--have lasted far beyond their initial commitment, with over 500 alumni remaining in education across Hawaii, 15 of them now serving as school leaders.

Their mission reminds us of the `olelo no`eau ``hahai no ka ua i ka ulula'au.'': the rain follows the forest. By intentionally investing in this forest of local talent, we ensure a bright future for all our students.

I offer my mahalo to the new corps members and alumni for their continued service.

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