Recognizing Donna M. Chiera

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I use today to congratulate Donna M. Chiera on her retirement as President of the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ). Ms. Chiera has dedicated over 40 years of service to the education field and her contributions and accomplishments are truly deserving of this body's recognition.

As President of AFTNJ, Donna Chiera brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. She worked as a special education teacher and resource room teacher for the Perth Amboy Public School District for more than 30 years until her retirement from teaching in 2011. Furthermore, Ms. Chiera also served as president of the local union, Perth Amboy Federation of Teachers, from 1991 until 2013, as well as AFTNJ executive vice president for grades pre-K through 12. Her long- standing involvement with AFT and her tenure as an educator exemplify Ms. Chiera's commitment to serve and advance New Jersey's teachers and students.

Representing the interests of 30,000 members of AFTNJ, Ms. Chiera has been an active member of AFT national, chairing the Teachers program and policy council, serving on subcommittees, and participating in both the National and New Jersey Teacher of the Year selection

In addition to her leadership of AFTNJ, Ms. Chiera is Vice President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Executive Board and previously served as Vice President of the Middlesex-Somerset County Central Labor Council, Education Chair of Perth Amboy's Strategic Planning Task Force, and Education Co-Chair for New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's transition committee.

Mr. Speaker, please Join me in leading this body in acknowledgement of the contributions of Donna Chiera. She has tirelessly devoted her time to New Jersey's education and labor communities, and I am honored to recognize her today.

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