[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23455]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING MARY MONINGER-ELIA FOR HER OUTSTANDING SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to join the West Haven Federation of Teachers and School Nurses in 
honoring a very special member of our community--Mary Moninger-Elia. 
Teacher, advocate, mentor, and friend, Mary has exemplified all that a 
community leader should be and through her efforts has made a 
difference in the lives of many.
  Our teachers are a vital resource for all of our communities. By 
giving our children the tools and skills they will need--the foundation 
on which our young people will build their future success--the 
contributions teachers make to our children's lives is invaluable. I 
have often spoke of our nation's need for talented, creative educators 
ready to help our children learn and grow. Mary was just that kind of 
teacher.
  Mary began her career at West Haven High School where she spent 25 
years teaching Home Economics. During her tenure, one of her most 
interesting additions to the curriculum was the creation of a very 
successful preschool program. The program paired 3 and 4 year old 
children with the high school students and served as a tool to teach 
students how to interact with toddlers. With many students having 
aspirations of becoming teachers and parents, this innovative approach 
was a first step in preparing for what one can expect from such young 
children. After 25 years with high school students, Mary decided to 
move to a different age group. She moved to Bailey Middle School where 
she taught both Study Skills and Social Science until her retirement 
just 2 years ago. Throughout her career, Mary touched the lives of 
thousands of students, helping them to realize their potential and make 
their dreams a reality.
  In addition to her daily professional contributions, Mary has long 
been a staunch advocate for teachers and education. She has worked with 
legislators at every level of government to ensure that their concerns 
and needs were heard. She was elected to serve on the Connecticut AFL-
CIO Executive Board and the Greater New Haven Labor Council. But 
perhaps where she had the greatest impact was through her 24-year 
tenure as the President of the West Haven Federation of Teachers and 
School Nurses--the longest consecutive term of any president of any 
American Federation of Teachers Local in Connecticut. Her diligence, 
commitment and dedication earned her a distinguished reputation 
throughout Connecticut. In fact just prior to her stepping down in June 
of this year, Mary was honored by the Connecticut branch of the 
American Federation of Teachers with the prestigious Unionist of the 
Year Award--the highest such honor bestowed by the organization.
  We have certainly been fortunate to have an individual like Mary 
working so hard, not only on behalf of our students, but for our 
teachers and our education system as well. For her many contributions 
and outstanding service, I am proud to stand today to join the West 
Haven Federation of Teachers and School Nurses, family, friends, and 
colleagues in extending my sincere thanks and appreciation to Mary 
Moninger-Elia for her lifetime of good work. Hers is a legacy that will 
continue to live on through the many lives she has touched.

                          ____________________