[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 66 (Thursday, May 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO THOMAS P. MONDANI

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
the greatest leaders and supporters of public education that the State 
of Connecticut has ever known: Thomas P. Mondani. This past March, the 
State of Connecticut was saddened by his passing at the age of 63.
  Tom Mondani served as executive director of the Connecticut Education 
Association (CEA), the State's largest teacher organization, for longer 
than any individual in the organization's 150-year history.
  Mr. Mondani began his career in public education as a social studies 
and English teacher in Moodus, CT in 1959. He joined the CEA staff in 
1963 as a research consultant and was promoted to director of research 
2 years later. As director of research, he compiled and published 
numerous studies of statistical data related to educational 
expenditures in Connecticut.
  When Tom Mondani was appointed executive director in 1971, his work 
in school finance made him a recognized authority on research and 
education legislation in the State.
  Mr. Mondani also served in Connecticut's State legislature. In 1965, 
he was elected to the first of his two terms as a State representative, 
and in 1970, he moved from the House to the State Senate. As a State 
legislator, Tom Mondani worked diligently on education issues, and he 
authored legislation that provided maintenance of all accumulated 
tenure and sick leave rights for teachers who had been incorporated 
into recently formed regional school districts.
  Tom Mondani left public office in 1971 when he accepted his 
appointment as CEA executive director, and he often utilized the 
political skills that he developed in the General Assembly during his 
22-year tenure. He worked with teachers as well as political leaders to 
secure the passage of many laws to help Connecticut's teachers, 
including improvements in teacher freedom of residency and the 
establishment of binding arbitration for teacher-board of education 
negotiations. During his tenure from 1972 to 1994, he helped develop 
major advancements for students and teachers in the areas of teacher 
standards, public school finance, and collective bargaining.
  Most recently, Tom Mondani served as vice chair of the State Board of 
Governors for Higher Education.
  In 1994, the CEA Board of Directors voted unanimously to recognize 
Tom Mondani's contributions by bestowing him with the organization's 
most prestigious award: the CEA Friend of Education Award. And not only 
did CEA present him with the award, but they also renamed the award in 
his honor.
  Upon his passing, countless people, including teachers, parents, and 
former Governors spoke out in praise of this remarkable man. They spoke 
of his commitment to the children of Connecticut. They remembered his 
leadership, wisdom, integrity, intellect and fairness. They said that 
he elevated the thinking in the State about children, teachers, and 
public education.
  I would like to join the chorus of voices singing the praises of this 
honorable man. I knew Tom Mondani, and I saw first-hand his commitment 
and dedication to helping others and improving the quality of our 
public schools. The people of Connecticut will miss him dearly.

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