[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 113 (Tuesday, September 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1537-E1538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN J. BIONDI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2002

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
an outstanding member of our community and northern New Jersey--John J. 
Biondi, who at the end of this month will conclude more than thirty 
years of service to the New Jersey Education Association, and four 
decades of contribution to the students and education community of 
northern New Jersey.
  As a former teacher myself, I take especial pleasure in 
congratulating John on the occasion of his retirement, and applauding 
him for his valuable leadership in and contribution to the NJEA and 
Bergen County's education community. John is an outstanding example of 
the type of person who makes Bergen County, our State, and our Nation 
such a wonderful place. He exemplifies the American values that have 
made our country great.
  During the course of his distinguished career, John's contribution to 
education in New Jersey has been as both a dedicated teacher and a 
dogged advocate for issues central to education.
  Educated at Newark's Barringer High School, John earned his 
bachelor's degree from Rutgers University in 1964, majoring in history 
and science. In the years following his graduation, John brought 
science alive to the students in New Jersey, first as a science teacher 
at Belleville Junior High School, and later as a teacher of chemistry 
and biology at Lakewood High School. John's graduate work in personnel 
and guidance came at Fairleigh Dickinson University and my own alma 
mater, Montclair State College.
  In 1969, John began what would become a lifelong career of advocacy 
for education issues as Vice President of the Lakewood Education 
Association. The following year, John served as President of the LEA 
and the chairman of its negotiation committee. At the county level, 
John was a representative to the Ocean County Council of Education 
Associations.

[[Page E1538]]

  For the past thirty-one years, John has served New Jersey's education 
community as a UniServe Representative for the New Jersey Education 
Association. As a vital member of the NJEA's staff, John's career has 
been characterized by unswerving dedication, professionalism, and 
enthusiasm for educating both NJEA members and New Jersey's elected 
leaders. John's resourcefulness, creativity, and integrity mark him a 
role model for his colleagues and, indeed, for us all.
  In recognition of all that John has given, the education community of 
Bergen County has proclaimed September 29, 2002 as ``John Biondi Day.'' 
John's justified pride in this proclamation is shared by his wife 
Marilyn, his three sons, John Jr., Andrew, and Tom, and his 
grandchildren, Christopher and Joseph.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in congratulating John Biondi on his retirement, and commending 
him for his tremendous dedication and contribution to the students and 
education community of New Jersey.

                          ____________________