[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 136 (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1625-E1626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF THOMAS MOHR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2011

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to 
recognize the tireless public service of Thomas Mohr, who is retiring 
as President of Canada College in Redwood City, California.

[[Page E1626]]

  I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Tom for many 
years. He is without peer and his calm demeanor and inspired leadership 
will be sorely missed.
  While serving as President, Tom revamped Canada College's planning 
process and turned it into a state leader in the accreditation process. 
He helped establish new four-year degrees in art, psychology, human 
services and business administration by forging new relationships with 
nearby Notre Dame de Namur University. Under Tom's watch, Canada 
started the Center for Teacher Efficacy to provide professional 
development opportunities for San Mateo County high school teachers. He 
also developed an Honors Transfer Program designed to support highly 
motivated students as they pursue their educational goals.
  Tom attracted more than $3 million in grants for Science, Technology, 
Engineering and Mathematics education at the college, established the 
Veterans Resource and Opportunity Center, and expanded the school's 
study abroad program. For these and other accomplishments, President 
Mohr received the 2010 Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction from Phi 
Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two year colleges.
  Tom holds a Bachelor of Science from St. Louis University and a 
Master of Arts from the University of San Francisco. He has been an 
educator on the San Francisco Peninsula since working as a Chemistry 
teacher in the Jefferson Union High School District in 1961. Since 
then, Tom has served in nearly every capacity an educator can--teacher, 
principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent and most recently, 
college president.
  Ironically, Tom thought he had retired six years ago when he left the 
San Mateo Union High School District. But, ever the public servant, 
when his community came calling, Tom answered. He agreed to serve as 
Canada's President on an interim basis, not knowing that it would 
stretch into a six-year commitment.
  Mr. Speaker, everyone in this body knows that there are no easy 
solutions to improving education in America. Were it only possible to 
clone a thousand or so Tom Mohrs, our nation's students would, indeed, 
be in capable hands. Since we can't do that, we are best served to 
simply follow his example and learn from the many lessons this lifelong 
educator has taught us.

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