[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 8389] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING TEACHERS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE RONALD W. POPLAU ______ HON. DENNIS MOORE of kansas in the house of representatives Tuesday, May 4, 1999 Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituents to honor Ronald W. Poplau, a sociology teacher at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Shawnee, KS, and one of only five teachers in the nation to be inducted this year into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Students and administrators who have worked with Ron Poplau have known for many years that he is one of the finest the field of professional education has to offer. For over 35 years, Ron Poplau has dedicated himself to giving students the tools they need not only to find their way in civil society, but to thrive. Like many Americans, Ron Poplau has drawn inspiration from his family. Ron's father immigrated from Germany at the turn of the century, and because of prejudice and fear, was not able to receive a proper education. When Ron became a teacher, it was the fulfillment of his father's dreams to free himself and others from illiteracy. Throughout his career, Ron Poplau has received many honors and awards for his work in the classroom. Most recently he has received the Wooster College Excellence in Teaching Award, the U.S. Army Outstanding Citizen Award, the Greg Parker Faculty Award, and has been twice recognized as the U.S.D. 512 Employee of the Year. But Ron Poplau's legacy goes far beyond his classroom. Most importantly, Ron Poplau has helped thousands of students foster a lifelong commitment to community service. His Cougars Community Commitment program puts hundreds of students into the community every day to assist the poor, needy, and elderly. It has become a model for other school districts and been honored by local, state, and national awards. Perhaps the definitive statement above Ron Poplau was offered by his colleague Beth Jantsch when she said, ``What Ron has done by the creation of this program is to leave a legacy of community care and involvement for generation to come . . . I can only believe that this will be a better world because of the lives that have been touched and by those that will carry on the torch of caring and community involvement . . . he is our shining light.'' On behalf of the people of the Third District of Kansas, I want to thank Ron Poplau for caring so much for the development of our nation's children, and for helping to strengthen our community by encouraging young people to extend their hand in friendship and service. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Ronald W. Poplau of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School on his induction into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. ____________________