[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E843-E844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING DR. GERALD TIROZZI ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2011

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to recognize the outstanding leadership, vision, and innumerable 
contributions of Dr. Gerald Tirozzi as he prepares to retire from his 
position as Executive Director of the National Association of Secondary 
School Principals. Gerry has dedicated a lifetime to ensuring that our 
children have access to an education of the highest possible quality. 
Through his efforts we, as a nation and a society, have changed the way 
we look at public education and how the policies we create impact our 
young people and their success.
  A Connecticut native, I have had the privilege of knowing Gerry for 
many years. In fact, I did some substitute teaching when he was the 
Superintendent of New Haven Public

[[Page E844]]

Schools. I have rarely encountered an individual with the passion and 
enthusiasm that Gerry possesses--particularly as he is advocating for 
policies he believes will make a difference in educating our young 
people.
  Gerry began his career as an educator--a science teacher--and soon 
moved into several administrative positions, including Superintendent 
of New Haven Public Schools. In 1983 he was tapped by then Governor 
Bill O'Neill to lead Connecticut's Department of Education. In fact, on 
the same day that Gerry was named Commissioner, the National Commission 
on Excellence in Education released its famous report, ``A Nation at 
Risk,'' calling for the reform of the American public school system. 
With the release of the report Gerry saw a unique opportunity and soon 
implemented reforms that have changed the face of public education in 
Connecticut. He reformed curriculum and advocated for raising teacher 
salaries and attracting more qualified candidates to the profession. 
Perhaps most significantly, it was under his direction that Connecticut 
established a statewide, systematic test that would more accurately 
assess student progress. This testing resulted in identifying the 
academic problems afflicting racial minorities and low-income students 
nearly two decades before it was taken up at the federal level. The 
Connecticut Mastery Test celebrated its 25th Anniversary last year and 
continues to be the single biggest influence in shaping curriculum and 
has become a national model for student testing.
  After his tenure as Commissioner at the Connecticut Department of 
Education, Gerry went on to serve as President of Wheelock College, 
Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Connecticut, 
and was later appointed by President Clinton as the Assistant Secretary 
of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of 
Education. For the last decade, Gerry has led the National Association 
of Secondary School Principals, an organization which acts as the 
national voice for middle and high school principals, assistant 
principals, and aspiring school leaders. In each of the many positions 
he has held, his commitment and unique vision have led to invaluable 
improvements in our system of public education.
  Dr. Gerald Tirozzi has enjoyed a remarkable career and has earned a 
distinguished reputation as a leader in education reform. As he 
prepares to leave his professional life, I am honored to have this 
opportunity to extend my sincere thanks for his invaluable 
contributions to our Nation and our children. His work has improved the 
quality of public education for millions of young people across our 
Nation and helped to better prepare them for their future success. 
Today, as he celebrates his retirement with family, friends, and 
colleagues, I wish him, his wife Sharman, his son Jeff, and his 
grandchildren, Jason and Kayla, the very best for many more years of 
health and happiness.

                          ____________________