[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 91 (Thursday, May 29, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING EDWARD L. DONNELLAN, JR. AS THE WINNER OF THE 2025 MARY K. 
                   BONSTELL TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

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                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 29, 2025

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of 
Ed Donnella, originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, who recently 
was honored by the Organization of American Historians (OAH) as the 
winner of the prestigious 2025 Mary K. Bonstell Teacher of the Year 
Award. He currently is a U.S. History and Government teacher at Gonzaga 
High School in Washington, D.C.
  The award was given at the OAH annual meeting last April in Chicago 
and was presented by Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian David 
Blight. The citation reads in part: ``Mr. Donnellan has worked 
diligently to expand the teaching of history regarding slavery and 
social justice issues. He created pioneering student-led research in 
the role of Gonzaga College High School's history with slavery, leading 
seminars and presentations over this material at both local and 
national venues.''
  Ed Donnellan grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts and graduated from 
the University of Massachusetts and Springfield College where he 
studied history. He has been teaching high school for thirty-nine 
years. Teaching the history of slavery took on greater meaning when Ed 
led a group of Gonzaga students on a three-year journey to research 
Gonzaga's historical ties with slavery. Working at the Georgetown 
University archives, the students read 19th century financial records 
that showed the school was built with profits from Jesuit run slave 
plantation in Southern Maryland. The students also identified five 
enslaved persons who worked at the school. Reckoning with this history 
has been challenging and continues to this day.
  As a teacher for over forty years, including U.S. History, I 
understand the complex issue of teaching ``difficult histories.'' It is 
vital that students get a full picture of the American experience; 
history that we are proud of and history that is hard to hear. Learning 
the challenging parts of our history ensures that future generations 
can learn from mistakes of the previous. That is why it is important to 
recognize educators like Ed Donnellan and encourage others to follow in 
his footsteps.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Ed Donnellan and wish him 
continued success in educating students on America's past.

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