May 21, 1998

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the greatest leaders and supporters of public education that the State of Connecticut has ever known: Thomas P. Mondani. This past March, the State of Connecticut was saddened by his passing at the age of 63.

Tom Mondani served as executive director of the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), the State's largest teacher organization, for longer than any individual in the organization's 150-year history.

Mr. Mondani began his career in public education as a social studies and English teacher in Moodus, CT in 1959. He joined the CEA staff in 1963 as a research consultant and was promoted to director of research 2 years later. As director of research, he compiled and published numerous studies of statistical data related to educational expenditures in Connecticut.

When Tom Mondani was appointed executive director in 1971, his work in school finance made him a recognized authority on research and education legislation in the State.

Mr. Mondani also served in Connecticut's State legislature. In 1965, he was elected to the first of his two terms as a State representative, and in 1970, he moved from the House to the State Senate. As a State legislator, Tom Mondani worked diligently on education issues, and he authored legislation that provided maintenance of all accumulated tenure and sick leave rights for teachers who had been incorporated into recently formed regional school districts.

Tom Mondani left public office in 1971 when he accepted his appointment as CEA executive director, and he often utilized the political skills that he developed in the General Assembly during his 22-year tenure. He worked with teachers as well as political leaders to secure the passage of many laws to help Connecticut's teachers, including improvements in teacher freedom of residency and the establishment of binding arbitration for teacher-board of education negotiations. During his tenure from 1972 to 1994, he helped develop major advancements for students and teachers in the areas of teacher standards, public school finance, and collective bargaining.

Most recently, Tom Mondani served as vice chair of the State Board of Governors for Higher Education.

In 1994, the CEA Board of Directors voted unanimously to recognize Tom Mondani's contributions by bestowing him with the organization's most prestigious award: the CEA Friend of Education Award. And not only did CEA present him with the award, but they also renamed the award in his honor.

Upon his passing, countless people, including teachers, parents, and former Governors spoke out in praise of this remarkable man. They spoke of his commitment to the children of Connecticut. They remembered his leadership, wisdom, integrity, intellect and fairness. They said that he elevated the thinking in the State about children, teachers, and public education.

I would like to join the chorus of voices singing the praises of this honorable man. I knew Tom Mondani, and I saw first-hand his commitment and dedication to helping others and improving the quality of our public schools. The people of Connecticut will miss him dearly.