[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E565-E566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THANKING DANIEL GILL FOR 53 YEARS OF SERVICE TO MONTCLAIR PUBLIC 
                                SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MIKIE SHERRILL

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2023

  Ms. SHERRILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Daniel Gill and 
congratulate him on his retirement after an incredible 53-year teaching 
career in the Montclair Public School District in New Jersey's Eleventh 
Congressional District. Mr. Gill has taught and inspired three 
generations of Montclair students. His dedication to our town is a 
testament to the many ways our educators go above and beyond for our 
communities.
  Mr. Gill was born and raised in New York City. After graduating from 
Iona College with a degree in psychology, Mr. Gill joined the VISTA 
program, where he counseled young people incarcerated at Rikers Island 
Prison. It was during this time that he began pursuing his master's 
degree from Columbia University in urban education and curriculum.
  Mr. Gill began his career as a Social Studies teacher in Montclair in 
1970 and from early on, his impact went well beyond the classroom. He 
was an instrumental leader in desegregating the Montclair School 
District. He helped develop the magnet school plan that became a 
national model. Montclair's strength is its diversity and Mr. Gill has 
always worked to support our schools in living up to their potential.
  Mr. Gill brings history to life for his students and his ``No More 
Chairs'' lesson is just one notable example. As a child, Mr. Gill went 
to a birthday party with his friend Archie, who was told there was no 
seat for him and was turned away from the party because of the color of 
his skin. Mr. Gill shares this story each year and leaves an empty 
chair in his classroom to remind students that they all belong and have 
an important place in our community.
  In addition to his work with Montclair Schools, Mr. Gill has 
counseled high school students from East Orange, Newark, and Irvington 
for the past 40 years to help them into college through Seton Hall 
University's Upward Bound Program.
  Mr. Gill has been recognized for his work on numerous occasions, 
receiving the Robert Merrill Scholar Award from Cornell University, the 
Euphemia Lofton Haynes Award from the Montclair NAACP, and two Weston 
Awards for Excellence in Teaching. Beyond these awards, Mr. Gill's 
impact is clear from his students who continue to talk about the 
tremendous role he played in their lives and how he helped to foster 
their lifelong passion for learning. Parents and children alike bond 
over the impact Mr. Gill made in their lives.
  Outside of the classroom, Mr. Gill and his wife Michelle are the 
proud parents of three children and grandparents of six, who share his 
deep commitment to public service.
  Mr. Gill is a beloved member of our community and he has inspired 
countless students with the lessons they learned in his classroom. 
Whether his students are transforming their

[[Page E566]]

classroom into a museum, leading civics projects, or explaining to 
visitors to their classroom why the empty chair is there, Mr. Gill has 
always made learning engaging and current. Since the beginning of his 
career, Mr. Gill's passion for education, equality, and public service 
has shaped the Montclair Public Schools District. I am grateful for 
this opportunity to honor him today and wish him a very happy 
retirement.

                          ____________________