[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL S. PINTO, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, MIDDLETOWN, 
                              RHODE ISLAND

 Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Michael S. Pinto, Superintendent of Schools in Middletown, Rhode 
Island. After 36 years, Superintendent Pinto is leaving the school 
system where he began his career, bound for a well-deserved retirement.
  During his tenure in Middletown, Superintendent Pinto has held almost 
every possible position one can hold in the field of education. He has 
been a teacher, a principal, a business manager for the school 
district, an assistant superintendent, and, most recently, the 
superintendent.
  Over the years--even when I represented Rhode Island's neighboring 
Congressional district in the House of Representatives, I was 
privileged to have the advice of Superintendent Pinto on a variety of 
issues related to education, from school choice to educational 
standards. Indeed, I could always count on hearing from Superintendent 
Pinto about Impact Aid. He is the program's number one advocate.
  His commitment to Impact Aid underscores his overall dedication to 
Middletown's schools and students and the cause of education. A measure 
of his commitment was shown in a recent news article which reported 
that in the last fifteen years he has had no more than seven 
consecutive days off.
  As superintendent, Mr. Pinto has presided over a number of successful 
initiatives including the fundamental repair of two schools, a new 
system of measuring student learning, and an optional all-day 
kindergarten. Superintendent Pinto has consistently sought to share the 
professional accolades he has received with his colleagues in 
Middletown. His emphasis on team work has earned him the admiration and 
respect of those who have worked with him.
  I thank Superintendent Pinto for his tremendous dedication and 
congratulate him for all that he has done for Middletown. While the 
Middletown school system will miss Michael Pinto, I am sure that even 
in retirement he will continue his work to improve education and better 
his community.
  Mr. President, I am pleased to join Senator Chafee today in saluting 
Superintendent Pinto and wishing him the best in his 
retirement.

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