[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO AIDA ROSA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. JOS[Eacute] E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2002

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
educational activist and humanitarian. Ms. Aida Rosa, an innovative 
educator and leader is retiring as principal of Public School 30 in the 
South Bronx after many years of leadership and service.
  Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Ms. Rosa came to New York in 1949 
as a young child. She attended New York City public schools and went on 
to earn advanced degrees from New York City universities. She is a 
dissertation away from earning a PhD from the esteemed Fordham 
University. Ms. Rosa began her career as an advocate for education and 
young people early in life and has never taken a break. Her tenacity 
and passion have not ebbed in all these years and many would argue that 
they have only grown more intense.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Rosa strongly believes in community coalitions, in 
which various actors in the community pool their resources so that 
endeavors are multilateral and more effective. She has always 
emphasized the importance of parents, educators, the community, and the 
students themselves working together to ensure that young people 
receive quality education and attain their goals.
  As the principal of P.S. 30, Ms. Rosa secured numerous services to 
assist her students, their families, and the nearby community. She 
accessed national and local organizations to address the needs of her 
students and staff. As an innovator, Ms. Rosa understands the need for 
smaller learning communities and restructured P.S. 30 into a number of 
small academies within one school. These smaller communities allow for 
individual attention to students as well as time for teachers to 
develop and implement more effective teaching methods. Teachers from 
P.S. 30 describe Ms. Rosa as a nurturing and strong leader. Her faith 
in her teachers allows them to perform at their highest capacity and to 
grow as educators.
  Mr. Speaker, beyond running a huge public elementary school at a 
high-performing level and serving on a number of community planning 
boards, Ms. Rosa was a loving wife for many years and a mother and 
grandmother. She has also been a devoted friend to many.
  It is rare to encounter people with as much genuine compassion and 
leadership acumen as Ms. Aida Rosa, and I am grateful to have had her 
as a school leader in my district and as a comrade for so many years. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in wishing her rest and relaxation upon 
her retirement from an exceptional career.

                          ____________________