[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 58 (Friday, March 27, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF MICHAEL TOMOR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 27, 2026

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Michael 
Tomor and his contributions to the arts, especially as executive 
director of the Tampa Museum of Art.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Tomor demonstrated 
unwavering dedication to the preservation, interpretation, and 
promotion of art and culture. His visionary leadership has advanced the 
mission of the institutions he has served and inspired colleagues, 
emerging museum professionals, and communities nationwide. From 
curating landmark exhibitions to fostering educational initiatives and 
advocating for accessibility in the arts, Tomor's impact is profound 
and enduring.
  Tomor completed his undergraduate and doctoral studies at 
Pennsylvania State University. After finishing his education, he 
returned to his hometown of El Paso, where he began his early 
professional work. Tomor's leadership eventually led him to Tampa where 
he has served as the executive director of the Tampa Museum of Art for 
over a decade. At TMA, Tomor led a period of significant growth and 
transformation. TMA acquired more than 1,500 works of art, enriching 
its collection and broadening the cultural resources available to the 
public. He also ushered the museum through a major expansion, adding 
approximately 32,000 square feet to the museum.
  Tomor is a passionate advocate for the role of art in children's 
education. His commitment to showcasing how museums foster learning 
opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom is a 
hallmark of his legacy. Tomor led initiatives to significantly expand 
the presence of artists in underserved school districts, tripling the 
number of artists working directly with students. By integrating 
artistic activities into preschool programs, he helped develop methods 
that used creative expression to strengthen literacy for young students 
in the community. Tomor welcomed high school art students to display 
their work at TMA during the annual congressional art competition--
providing budding artists with a point of pride for their work. 
Building on these successes, Tomor later expanded them to serve 
military veterans coping with post-traumatic stress.
  Beyond his professional accomplishments in the arts, Tomor is a 
steadfast advocate for civic and cultural engagement including the 
importance of representation and authenticity, stating, ``art is a 
reflection of so many things that make us human and encourages us to 
look beyond the surface.''
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing and honoring Michael Tomor 
for his exceptional contributions to the Tampa Bay area and the greater 
arts community, and wishing him the very best in his well-earned 
retirement. He is a shining example of how the tremendous impact of 
hard work and service to the community can encourage others to reach 
their highest potential.

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