[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 66 (Friday, May 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF PRESIDENT THOMAS C. MOHR UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM 
                             CANADA COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2011

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and career of 
Thomas (Tom) C. Mohr who is the President of Canada College, a 
distinguished college in the 14th Congressional District of California 
and my alma mater. President Mohr has served as a teacher, mentor and 
community leader for the past 47 years, with 42 of those years living 
in the Bay Area with his beloved wife Sandy.
  President Mohr holds a Bachelor of Science from St. Louis University 
and a Master of Arts from the University of San Francisco. A life-long 
educator, he began teaching at Taylor School in St. Louis, Missouri in 
1958, and moved to San Francisco in 1959, where he taught at Riordan 
High School. He began working as a high school administrator in 1971 
when he was appointed Vice Principal of Serramonte High School in the 
Jefferson Union High School District.
  During his career he was invited by the Western Association of School 
Accreditation to serve on more than 30 school accreditations, most of 
which he chaired, including accreditations of schools in Japan and 
Egypt.
  In 1996, President Mohr was named Superintendent of the San Mateo 
Union High School District. He pushed for the successful passage of a 
$137.5 million bond to refurbish and modernize the six high schools in 
the District. He also led the District in a comprehensive planning 
process. He retired in 2004, and was soon appointed Interim President 
at Canada College.
  Canada College, located in Redwood City, opened in 1968 as part of 
the three-school San Mateo County Community College District. The 
beautiful campus overlooks Silicon Valley and its talented students 
have gone on to apply the excellent education they received at Canada 
to achieve their dreams academically and professionally across the Bay 
Area and beyond.
  President Mohr is recognized as the critical leader in the growth of 
this unique college, including the re-establishment of strong 
connections with local high schools to make Canada College a 
destination for graduating seniors, increasing enrollment by nearly 
1,000 students.
  A tireless leader and innovator in education, President Mohr helped 
reorganize the entire planning structure at the College and guided it 
and the San Mateo County Community College District through an 
exhaustive strategic planning process where the College had its 
accreditation renewed and is now viewed as a state leader in the 
accreditation process.
  President Mohr also developed his vision for Canada with an Honors 
Transfer Program at the College designed to support highly motivated 
students as they pursue their educational goals for graduation and 
transfer, increasing by five times the number of students transferring 
to UC schools. In the Honors Program, students are able to find the 
additional resources they need among their peers and excellent faculty 
to take their academic achievements to the next level.
  During his tenure at Canada College, President Mohr made it a 
priority to create a center for science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics learning, attracting more than $3 million in Federal grants 
to support this mission, and adding more than 1,000 students majoring 
in STEM-related fields.
  A practical leader, President Mohr understood the importance of 
linking career opportunities to education and he created pipelines for 
ESL students to connect their language education to growing career 
fields. Understanding that education doesn't stop with an Associate's 
Degree, he made it a priority to develop additional opportunities for 
students through the Canada College University Center, including 
bachelor degree programs in art, psychology, human services, and 
business administration. The important link between prepared students 
and student success was a priority for President Mohr, leading him to 
create the Center for Teacher Efficacy at the Canada College University 
Center which provides professional development opportunities for high 
school teachers on the Peninsula.
  Throughout his distinguished career, President Mohr has connected the 
College to the community, serving as Vice Chairman on the Redwood City 
San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Board for the Boys 
and Girls Club of the Peninsula, serving on the Board of the Redwood 
City Police Activities League, and serving through numerous civic 
groups.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in 
offering our warmest congratulations to President Tom Mohr on his 
retirement and to celebrate his extraordinary career and legacy he 
created, helping countless students to achieve their dreams and 
potential. He has led with conviction, inspired through example and 
taught with joy, transforming each life he touched. He has renewed our 
community and strengthened our country, proving that one person can 
indeed make noble and lasting contributions. How blessed I am to know 
President Mohr, how deeply grateful I am to him, and how grateful our 
nation is to him for lifting up generations of students who today are 
major contributors to the good and the greatness of our country.

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