[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12] [House] [Pages 16847-16848] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SUPPORTING NATIONAL SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY WEEK Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1645) expressing support for designation of the week beginning on November 8, 2010, as National School Psychology Week. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 1645 Whereas all children and youth learn best when they are healthy, supported, and receive an education that meets their individual needs; Whereas schools can more effectively ensure that all students are ready and able to learn if schools meet all the needs of each student; Whereas learning and development are directly linked to the mental health of children, and a supportive learning environment is an optimal place to promote mental health; Whereas sound psychological principles are critical to proper instruction and learning, social and emotional development, prevention and early intervention, and support for a culturally diverse student population; Whereas school psychologists are specially trained to deliver mental health services and academic support that lowers barriers to learning and allows teachers to teach more effectively; Whereas school psychologists facilitate collaboration that helps parents and educators identify and reduce risk factors, promote protective factors, create safe schools, and access community resources; Whereas school psychologists are trained to assess barriers to learning, utilize data-based decision making, implement research driven prevention and intervention strategies, evaluate outcomes, and improve accountability; Whereas State educational agencies and other State entities credential more than 35,000 school psychologists who practice in schools in the United States as key professionals that promote the learning and mental health of all children; Whereas the National Association of School Psychologists establishes and maintains high standards for training, practice, and school psychologist credentialing, in collaboration with organizations such as the American Psychological Association, that promote effective and ethical services by school psychologists to children, families, and schools; Whereas the National Association of School Psychologists has a Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services that promotes standards for the consistent delivery of school psychological services to all students in need; Whereas the people of the United States should recognize the vital role school psychologists play in the personal and academic development of the Nation's children; and Whereas the week beginning on November 8, 2010, would be an appropriate week to designate as National School Psychology Week: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) supports the designation of National School Psychology Week; (2) honors and recognizes the contributions of school psychologists to the success of students in schools across the United States; and (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the vital role school psychologists play in schools, in the community, and in helping students develop into successful and productive members of society. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cassidy) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii. General Leave Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members be granted 5 legislative days to revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1645 into the Record. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Hawaii? There was no objection. Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1645, which honors and recognizes the contributions of school psychologists in our Nation's education system by designating the week of November 8, 2010, as National School Psychology Week. School psychologists are mental health professionals with specialized training who understand that many students face barriers to learning and need additional support to overcome these barriers and improve academic and behavioral outcomes. There are more than 35,000 credentialed school psychologists in this country who are essential in helping children succeed in school. National School Psychology Week reminds us of the integral role school psychologists play daily in our schools [[Page 16848]] to help ensure that our students have an opportunity to reach his or her full potential. I would like to thank Representative Loebsack for introducing this important measure and, once again, express my support for House Resolution 1645. The work of school psychologists helps reduce high school dropout rates, decreases problem behaviors, and promotes academic success. School psychologists work together with youth, parents, and educators to identify and reduce risk factors, create safe schools, and access community resources. Mental health professionals in the academic setting, including school psychologists, can play an important role in increasing a student's engagement in school. The results of this work can be seen in absolute, concrete terms. Research points to higher standardized test scores and better grades as well as decreased absences and discipline referrals. School psychologists are a vital resource in helping us narrow the achievement gap and reducing disproportionate representation of students from diverse backgrounds in special education. Mr. Speaker, I once again express my support for House Resolution 1645 which recognizes the week of November 8th as National School Psychology Week. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the resolution. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1645, expressing support for designation of the week beginning on November 8, 2010, as National School Psychology Week. National School Psychology Week takes place from November 8 to November 12 this year. Recognizing National School Psychology Week promotes the importance of providing support for students to help to create a healthy, safe, and positive learning environment and to help remove academic and personal barriers to students' success. The role of school psychologists is diverse. School psychologists may help deliver mental health services as well as academic support. These individuals may also help to assess students to determine what learning barriers they face and how best to address those barriers. {time} 1850 The theme of this year's National School Psychology Week is ``today is a good day to shine.'' This theme focuses on highlighting the positive work school psychologists do to promote students' academic and personal success. We recognize National School Psychology Week to show our support for the efforts school psychologists make to create a healthy, safe, and positive learning environment. I stand in support of this resolution. Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1645, designating the week of November 8th as National School Psychology Week. I introduced this Resolution in support of National School Psychology Week because, were it not for caring adults in my school and my community, I would not be where I am today. I know from my own childhood how circumstances outside school can affect a student's performance in the classroom, so I believe it is extremely important that our schools have professionals trained to meet students' nonacademic needs. School psychologists perform a myriad of functions within schools. They work with students to improve social, emotional, and behavioral problems that may affect their ability to succeed in school, assess barriers to learning, and design and implement behavioral interventions that help teachers create positive classroom environments. That is why I would like to take this opportunity to honor and recognize the professionals that work so hard for our children and grandchildren in schools across the country. Your efforts on behalf of our nation's students are appreciated. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the actions of the House of Representatives in honoring and recognizing the contributions of school psychologists by designating the week of November 8, 2010 as National School Psychology Week. I proudly support H. Res. 1645 and urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation. During the week of November 8, 2010, we will celebrate the critical role that school psychologists have in our nation's education system. It is imperative that our nation's children receive a complete education. While it is essential that our children take reading, writing, and arithmetic, a complete education includes proper social, emotional, and mental development. School psychologists ensure that our nation's children are receiving the mental health and psychological development they need to prosper in this world. School psychologists work with teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors to educate the whole child. School psychologists play a vital role in the lives of our nation's children as they are often the first and only mental health professionals with which our children come in contact. School psychologists are highly trained individuals that work directly with students, teachers, and families to form collaborations that meet the educational needs of our children. The National Association of School Psychologists establishes and maintains high standards for training, practice, and school psychologist credentialing. School psychologists play a special role in promoting child development, motivating students, and forming collaborations between teachers, families, and administrators. I take this time to especially thank the school psychologists in my home state of Georgia for all of their hard work and dedication. I encourage all of my constituents in the Fourth District to join in recognizing school psychologists and the vital role they have in educating our children. I join the Chairman in urging my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr.CASSIDY. I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would once again urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1645. It takes many people to enable a child to succeed, and school psychologists are definitely among those. I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1645. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________