[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 62 (Monday, May 6, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING FRED ACQUAVITA ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 6, 2013

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to join the many family, friends, colleagues, and community leaders who 
have gathered in celebration of an outstanding member of our community 
and my dear friend, Fred Acquavita, as he retires from his post as 
Headmaster of St. Thomas Day School in New Haven, Connecticut after 
more than three decades of service in education.
  A native of New Haven, Fred left Connecticut to attend the Kansas 
State College of Pittsburg to earn his Bachelors Degree and later 
returned to earn his Masters from Southern Connecticut State University 
as well as his 6th Year from Bank Street College of Education. Fred 
began his career as a teacher in the New Haven Public School system 
working with children in elementary and secondary schools. Deeply 
passionate about education and making it work for both teachers and our 
young people, Fred focused his professional growth on building 
expertise in curriculum development, instructional support, strategic 
planning, and team building--all of which would serve him well as he 
accepted the leadership role at St. Thomas's Day School. As Headmaster 
of St. Thomas's Day School, Fred has helped to shape the lives of 
hundreds of young people--nourishing their minds, encouraging their 
imaginations, and preparing them well to meet their full potential and 
realize their dreams.
  Fred's dedication to enriching our community extends far beyond his 
work in education. Throughout his adult life he has dedicated much of 
his time to a myriad of local service organizations. He has served on 
the Board of Directors at Farnum Neighborhood House where he also 
coached ``Biddy Basketball,'' participated in the Graustein Foundation 
Leadership Program, and is currently an Associate Fellow Yale's 
Berkeley College as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the 
Connecticut Association of Independent Schools.
  On a more personal note, I want to take a moment to thank Fred for 
his many years of special friendship. His support and camaraderie is 
something that I will always cherish. Fred's passion for making a 
difference is an inspiration to many and I consider myself very 
fortunate to call him my friend.
  Teacher, administrator, advocate, and mentor, Fred is a reflection of 
all that we attribute to an outstanding public servant. His actions 
reflect his deep and abiding belief in the words of St. Francis of 
Assisi--we should all strive to ``make this a better world and let it 
begin with me.'' For his many invaluable contributions to both St. 
Thomas's Day School and our community, I am proud to stand today and 
extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to my good friend, Fred 
Acquavita, as he celebrates his retirement. I wish him as well as his 
wife, Marie; their children, John and Michael; and their three 
beautiful granddaughters the very best for many more years of health 
and happiness.

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