[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 147 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING REGINALD F. MARRA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 1998

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak in praise of a man who 
has served with distinction in the Yonkers school system for 35 years--
Reginald F. Marra. He started in 1963 as an Industrial Arts teacher at 
Yonkers High School and has recently retired as Superintendent of the 
state's fourth largest school district with 24,000 students and a 
quarter of a billion dollar operating budget.
  His career has been one of increasing responsibility. His second 
position was as guidance counselor. In 1970 he was named Administrative 
Assistant, two years later he was named Assistant Principal and in 1973 
Principal of Commerce Middle School.
  A year later he went to Saunders Trades and Technical High School 
where, drawing on his experience, he established innovative programs to 
assure significant employment opportunities for his students.
  In 1984 he became Director of Occupational Education and served as a 
Special Assistant to the Superintendent in 1986. From 1987 until 1993 
he was Deputy Superintendent and that year he was named Superintendent.
  He has worked tirelessly to redesign the school system in the areas 
of curriculum, standards, goals and accountability. Among his many 
accomplishments, he increased the use of computer networks, established 
community, university and business partnerships within each school to 
expand student opportunities, worked with the professional staff to 
improve morale and make the district competitive in attracting and 
retaining professional staff.
  Reginald Marra has earned the respect and thanks of the City of 
Yonkers, its students, past, present and to come, and their parents. I 
am proud to join them in this salute.

                          ____________________