[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 102 (Friday, June 22, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO PETER RENDINA, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 22, 2007

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call to your attention 
the work of a man I am proud to represent in Congress and prouder still 
to call a close personal friend and trusted advisor, Mr. Peter Rendina, 
Jr. Pete is being recognized on Friday, June 22, by his colleagues, 
upon the occasion of his retirement from the Paterson Public Schools.
  It is only fitting that he be honored in this, the permanent record 
of the greatest freely elected body on earth, for he has a long history 
of dedication and commitment to the students of our great city. Through 
his years of teaching history and social studies especially, he has 
shown countless students the magnificence and power of our great Nation 
and democracy in action.
  Pete is a lifelong resident of Paterson. He is a graduate of School 
18 and an Eastside High School Ghost. After graduation, Pete went on to 
continue his education at Jersey City State University, earning his 
degree in elementary education, working as a substitute teacher in the 
Paterson school system while continuing on his studies. After 
graduation, he became a full-time member of the Paterson Board of 
Education team. Since then, he has worked with many different grade 
levels, and taught a variety of courses. In the following years, Pete 
returned to Jersey City State, earning his Masters degree in Urban 
Education, Administration and Supervision. Soon he was serving as an 
adjunct professor, first at Upsala College and Passaic County Community 
College (PCCC), and later at Seton Hall University as well.
  He has circumvented the educational bureaucracy that constricts many 
teachers and earned the admiration and trust of his pupils. The respect 
he has earned from his students is unprecedented and unmatched. He 
serves not only as an educator but also as a mentor; he helps his 
students to handle not only the academic rigors of high school, but 
also the many other challenges they face.
  All the while, Pete has been living the lessons he teaches. His 
students learn about our government from someone who works in the field 
directly. Whether it was the 2 years he spent working as Congressman 
Herb Klein's district administrator, or the many years since that he 
has served as a special aide to me, he has been involved in the day to 
day affairs of our great government. His students have the benefit of 
learning civics from a teacher who works in the field and lives it 
first hand.
  In addition to his work in the classroom, he has made his mark as a 
coach and athletic director. Pete has coached softball, basketball, 
football, track and volleyball on the high school level. On the 
collegiate level, he has led the men's basketball teams at both PCCC 
and William Paterson College, and served as the athletic director at 
PCCC. His talent for motivating his athletes to perform to the best of 
their ability and reach their goals makes him a successful coach. Just 
as when he is in the classroom, his mentoring skills with his players 
enable them to succeed on and off the field.
  Outside of his profession, Pete has contributed greatly to the 
Passaic County community in a civic role. He has served as the 
president of the Passaic County Technical and Vocational High School 
Board of Education, as a member of the board of trustees of the PCCC 
Foundation, and as commissioner of the Passaic County Board of Social 
Services.
  His contributions to education, in Paterson and beyond, cannot 
possibly all be listed. Most importantly, he is a personality who, in 
every sense, cannot be replaced. I value his friendship and know that 
although he is retiring from teaching, his service to his community 
will continue.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the accomplishments of 
educators like Peter Rendina. I applaud the Eastside High School family 
for honoring Pete, and join them in wishing him a fantastic retirement.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the members of the 
Eastside High School Ghost family, the Paterson Board of Education, 
Pete's family and friends, all those whose lives have been touched by 
him, and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable achievements 
of Mr. Peter Rendina, Jr.

                          ____________________