[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 163 (Tuesday, November 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MR. ED GILARDI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 15, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ed 
Gilardi upon his retirement after 20 years of dedicated service as a 
Trustee on the Cotati-Rohnert Park School Board.
  Mr. Gilardi's work to promote schools' accountability to the public, 
to recruit top notch educators and to help all students to reach their 
full potential has improved the quality of education for all students 
across our community. His leadership on the Cotati-Rohnert Park School 
Board includes serving four years as President and three as the Clerk.
  In addition to his local service, Mr. Gilardi has contributed to 
education throughout our state by serving in leadership and advocacy 
positions on the California School Boards Association. Mr. Gilardi has 
also advocated and lobbied effectively in Sacramento and Washington 
D.C. on behalf of Sonoma County and California students for increased 
funding, standards and education reforms. Through his decades of work 
in education and public service, Mr. Gilardi has earned the respect of 
students, teachers, and trustees throughout the State of California.
  Mr. Gilardi has also devoted his time to working with young people in 
our community by coaching youth sports teams and mentoring 4-H members. 
He also served as Chair of the Cotati Kid's Day Parade & Festival from 
2010 to 2015, on the committee to recognize the 100-Year Anniversary of 
the first school in Cotati, as well as Chair and Vice President on the 
Education Foundation of Cotati-Rohnert Park Executive Board. In 
recognition of his service, Mr. Gilardi was named Cotati Citizen of the 
Year in 2000 and received the Education and Community Volunteer of the 
Year Awards from Sonoma County Youth and Adult Development in 2011.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ed Gilardi has tirelessly served our community and 
our state with honor and integrity, and he is an excellent role model 
of citizenship and dedicated public service. Therefore, it is fitting 
and proper that we honor him here today and extend our best wishes for 
an enjoyable retirement.

                          ____________________