[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF GERARD ``GERRY'' M. THIERS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY KIM

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 30, 2022

  Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
retirement of Gerard ``Gerry'' M. Thiers, a non-profit leader and 
champion for private special education in New Jersey for over three 
decades.
  Gerry has dedicated his life and career to champion policies that 
benefit children in New Jersey. He began his career researching for the 
United Way in Philadelphia while also representing Catholic Charities 
agencies for the New Jersey Catholic Conference and assisting with the 
management of a large social services agency. After developing a robust 
advocacy background, Gerry proudly served as the Executive Director of 
the Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped (ASAH) for 
38 years. Under his leadership, ASAH's membership increased from 25 to 
95 schools at more than 140 locations across our state. Through his 
work, he not only supported thousands of educational professionals 
through development conferences and programming opportunities, but also 
ensured that children in New Jersey had the resources they needed in 
quality education to reach their fullest potential.
  Gerry led a successful effort to implement a new funding system for 
private special education schools. With more than 232,500 students 
receiving special education instruction in the state during the year 
2020, this has benefited New Jersey's special needs students' 
accessibility to a meaningful, accommodating education. He also helped 
start ``Special Education Week'' in New Jersey, which commends school 
board members, educators, and parents for their dedication to ensuring 
quality education for students with disabilities and most importantly, 
to recognize the hard work of the students themselves.
  In addition to his work with ASAH, Gerry also served as Chairperson 
of the New York Society of Association Executives, Chair of the 
Advocates for Children of New Jersey in Newark, and was a Board member 
for the National Association of Private Special Education Centers in 
Washington, D.C. Through these numerous volunteer roles, Gerry earned 
respect and a prominent reputation as a non-profit leader on both state 
and national levels.
  I know I speak for the 3rd District in wishing Gerry a happy 
retirement filled with days of doing what he loves--biking, golfing and 
reading. He can retire knowing that his life's work will not go 
unnoticed by our community, filled with the students, teachers, and 
parents of those impacted by a disability. It is because of Gerry that 
New Jersey can continue to pride itself on providing one of the highest 
quality educations through destigmatizing best practices that continue 
normalizing special education programs students deserve. New Jersey is 
grateful for the work that he has done, and I hope that he can inspire 
others to carry on his legacy as a champion for special education 
students across the country.

                          ____________________