[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25176-25177]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     A TRIBUTE TO TOM MOHR--SAN MATEO UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT - 
                             SUPERINTENDENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 17, 2003

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in paying 
tribute to a dedicated and distinguished public servant, San Mateo 
Union High School District Superintendent Tom Mohr, who recently 
announced his retirement. During a remarkable 43-year career in public 
education as a teacher, counselor, principal, district level 
administrator, and Superintendent in my district, Mr. Mohr has 
demonstrated a continuous and unwavering commitment to providing the 
best education possible for San Mateo County's youth.
  After an exceptional career in the Jefferson School District in Daly 
City, he joined the San Mateo Union High School District in 1985 as an 
Assistant Superintendent, and was promoted to Superintendent in 1996. 
During a time of tremendous challenges in the field of education, 
Superintendent Mohr has never failed in his determination to provide a 
superior education for our students, while building first class 
institutions, and supporting a first-class professional staff.
  The San Mateo Union High School District serves 8,300 students from 
six communities in my congressional district. It maintains seven high 
schools--Aragon, Burlingame, Capuchino, Hillsdale, Mills, Peninsula, 
and San Mateo. Five of the district schools have been recognized as 
National Blue Ribbon, or California Distinguished Schools.
  Superintendent Mohr has been a strong leader in the district. His 
excellent communication skills have kept the community, staff, and 
students informed and involved, and have effectively reduced tensions 
between groups. His boundless energy has enabled him to excel in the 
many roles and demands placed on the Superintendency. Recently, under 
Mr. Mohr's outstanding leadership, the community passed a $137.5 
million bond issue to modernize six of the district's schools.
  His erudition and experience have led to his appointment to numerous 
community and professional task forces and advisory boards, which 
include the U.S. Naval Academy undergraduate selection committee, plus 
nearly 30 different school accreditation teams, the majority of which 
he has chaired. He has worked tirelessly to establish high academic 
standards, encouraging all students from diverse backgrounds to pursue 
excellence in all of their endeavors. He initiated an exemplary safety 
program for the students that was endorsed by law enforcement agencies, 
and built strong school-community partnerships that serve the needs of 
citizens of all ages.
  Superintendent Mohr was honored in 1999 by the Mid-Peninsula Boys & 
Girls Club as its

[[Page 25177]]

Citizen of the Year. In 2001 he was named Superintendent of the Year by 
the San Francisco and San Mateo County region of the Association of 
California School Administrators, and he is the City of San Mateo's 
Citizen of the Year for 2003. Upon his retirement in January 2004, Mr. 
Mohr plans to spend more time with his grandchildren and possibly to 
pursue advanced university studies. Such is his personal commitment to 
the value of education.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Mohr's presence will be greatly missed in the 
boardroom and classrooms of the San Mateo Union High School District. 
His courage, intellect, integrity, and level of professionalism testify 
to the endless capabilities of this man and to the impact he will 
surely leave on the district. His legacy lives in the standards of 
excellence he has modeled for those who follow and in his unwavering 
commitment to the district's goals and programs. Mr. Mohr's efforts to 
better the education of San Mateo County's youth will serve as an 
inspiration to all of us. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing 
him enjoyment in his new pursuits during his well-earned retirement!

                          ____________________