[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16315-16316]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TOM MORDUE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 18, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
recognize the vision and innovation of Mr. Tom Mordue. His efforts as a 
physical education teacher and principal have greatly impacted and 
improved the lives of students for over three decades. Tom's sense of 
humor, combined with his ability to see the big picture, has made his 
pioneering efforts to integrate diverse groups of students to form a 
student body soaring to success.
  Tom's love of athletics began early. He wrestled all four years of 
high school and another four years at the University of Illinois, 
Chicago. In college, Tom established his leadership capacity as captain 
of the wrestling team. He also demonstrated his ability to successfully 
weave academics with athletics. At the University of Illinois, Tom 
participated in two NCAA tournaments and was named an Outstanding 
College Athlete of America in 1970.
  After graduation, Tom went on to the University of Arizona to 
complete his Masters in Education. There, Tom began his career as a 
wrestling coach as a Graduate Assistant in the Physical Education 
program. In his first year, he coached two National place winners.
  Tom's superior performance in college and graduate school landed him 
jobs as a social studies teacher, PE teacher, wrestling, football, and 
track coach. In each of these positions, Tom sought to make a 
difference in the lives of students. Rather than remain a passive 
teacher at the sidelines, Tom actively demonstrated sports skills in 
class to involve every student.
  Mr. Mordue's contributions, however, extend much farther than the gym 
and classroom. At Northeast Junior High, Tom initiated an adaptive 
physical education program called Positive PE. In this very successful 
program, Tom teamed regular students with special education, 
developmentally and physically disabled students to provide a 
constructive arena for students to interact and understand one another. 
Tom was also heavily involved in the Jerry Lewis Telethon and would 
even personally drive students to the marathons. As a result of his 
contributions to the disabled community, Tom was named Teacher of the 
Year by the Association of Retarded Citizens in 1981.
  Tom's record of success brought him to the position of assistant 
principal at Northeast and Westlake Junior High Schools, and later 
principal and district attendance officer at Eastlake Campus and 
Vantage Point Campus. In his eleven years at Vantage Point Campus High 
Plains High School, Tom was a Colorado Association of School 
Executives' Wright Way

[[Page 16316]]

Award nominee as well as Colorado Association of School Resource 
Officers Administrator of the Year.
  Despite his various roles in the Colorado education system, one 
aspect has remained constant in Tom's career: to integrate and involve 
students and staff in activities that bring the community together. Mr. 
Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in expressing our 
gratitude to Mr. Mordue for his work in the Colorado education system 
and among the unique student community at Vantage Point campus.

                          ____________________