AFT Mourns the Death of Tom Mooney

AFT Mourns the Death of Tom Mooney
President of Ohio Federation of Teachers and AFT Vice President
A Statement from AFT President Edward J. McElroy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With AFT vice president Tom Mooney's death, we have lost one of the nation's most forceful and eloquent voices on behalf of teachers, students and public education. Tom never lost the youthful vigor that catapulted him to leadership positions from which he took courageous stands on many worthy causes. That makes it especiallydifficult to accept this loss—Tom was so vibrant and had so much yet to contribute.

Tom was in the middle of some of the most contentious issues confronting public
education—the unchecked growth of charter schools in many places without regard to their quality, the rise of taxpayer-funded school vouchers, and debates over the best ways to strengthen struggling schools. Tom was a master strategist who staked out and advanced well-reasoned positions.

As we try to come to grips with this tremendous loss, we remember and rededicate ourselves to Tom's commitment to the social causes he championed, to the teachers and children for whom he consistently fought, and to the union family he served.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom's family, to whom he was so devoted.

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The AFT represents 1.3 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals and other school support employees, higher education faculty, nurses and other healthcare workers, and state and local government employees.
CONTACT:
Celia Lose
202/393-6356
close@aft.org
http://www.aft.org/presscenter/releases/2006/120406a.htm