[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 95 (Friday, June 28, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E993-E994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING REGINALD MAYO, PH.D. ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2013

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with my heartfelt thanks and 
appreciation that I rise today to recognize an outstanding member of 
our community and my good friend, Dr. Reginald Mayo, Superintendent of 
Schools as he celebrates his retirement from the New Haven Public 
School system. In a career that has spanned 46 years, Reggie has 
dedicated a lifetime to education, quietly touching the lives of 
thousands by providing our young people with a strong foundation on 
which to build their future success.
  Reggie Mayo has devoted most of his professional career to the New 
Haven Public School system. He began as a science teacher at Troup 
Middle School in 1967 and rose through the ranks serving as Assistant 
Principal of Troup and then Principal of Jackie Robinson Middle School. 
He was promoted to K-8 Director of Schools and later Executive Director 
of School Operations until his appointment as Superintendent in 1992. 
During his tenure, Reggie earned a distinguished reputation for his 
commitment and vision.
  As superintendent, Reggie has steadily guided the District to set new 
standards in education. One of his earliest accomplishments was making 
New Haven the first school district in Connecticut to effectively end 
the practice of social promotion. As the State was rocked by the school 
desegregation case Sheff v. O'Neill, Reggie quietly and effectively 
built the largest interdistrict magnet program in Connecticut--with 
1,300 suburban students enrolled it is a model program of urban-
suburban exchange. Partnering with the city's mayor, John DeStefano, 
Reggie undertook a master plan which included the renovation or 
reconstruction of every school--every school--in the district. And in 
what will likely come to be known as his crowning achievement as 
superintendent, in 2010 Reggie, in cooperation with the Board of 
Education, teachers unions, and the city administration, launched what 
has become a nationally recognized school reform plan. This outstanding 
initiative, collaboratively built by administrators and educators, 
involves evaluating schools and teachers as well as intervening and 
implementing improvement plans in poor-performing schools.
  Over the course of the last two decades, Reggie Mayo, along with 
Mayor John DeStefano, has transformed the educational environment in 
New Haven. Schools have been rebuilt, outfitted with the latest in 
technology and resources, curriculum has been re-written, graduation 
rates have risen dramatically while drop-out rates dropped 
significantly, and real education reform has been launched. His is a 
remarkable legacy that will continue to inspire learning and nurture 
creativity for many years to come.
  I would be remiss if I did not extend a personal note of thanks to 
Reggie for his many years of friendship and support. During my tenure 
in Congress and before, I have had many opportunities to work with him 
and am always inspired by his unwavering energy and commitment. His 
presence in the New Haven Public School system will most certainly be 
missed, however, I have no doubt that he will continue to serve our 
community and enrich the lives of others.
  For his invaluable service to our city--but most importantly our 
children--I am proud to stand today and join the many family, friends, 
and colleagues who have gathered in extending my deepest thanks and 
sincere congratulations to Dr. Reginald Mayo. His vision, leadership, 
and contributions have changed the face of education in New Haven and 
made all the difference in the lives of our young people. We owe him a 
great debt of gratitude for the indelible mark that he has left on our 
community. I wish him, his wife, Patsy; their children, Reggie, Jr., 
Shawn, and Lisa, and his grandchildren, Reginald III, Ryland, Riece, 
and Shawn Jr., all the best for many more years of health and 
happiness.

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