Recognizing Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow Veena Black

Floor Speech

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Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Veena Black, an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, a dedicated elementary schoolteacher for over 20 years, and a personal friend who has served our office with exceptional commitment this past year.

Veena was selected amongst a highly competitive group of peers to come to Washington to better understand the legislative process and to improve STEM education in the United States.

For 1 year, she has not only stepped away from the classroom and her beloved students, but, as a devoted wife and exceptional mother, she also left behind her husband, Gabe, and their two children: Aidan and Sydney.

Veena's passion for STEM education and her students was unmistakable and contagious. Her kindness and the time she gave to everyone who stepped into our office enriched our team. She was the dependable, welcoming smile that greeted us each day.

Her time in our office was impactful and memorable, and it permanently deepened my understanding of what it means to teach in America today. I came to rely on her invaluable insight as an award- winning educator. Her hard-earned classroom experience directly shaped our education policy work, giving us a clearer understanding of how Federal decisions truly affect teachers and students.

While we dearly miss Mrs. Black in our Cannon office, I am grateful that she returned to the place where her impact is greatest and most needed which is in the classroom.

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