CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF MICHAEL TOMOR

CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF MICHAEL TOMOR

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 58 (Friday, March 27, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 58 (Friday, March 27, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E280] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF MICHAEL TOMOR ______ HON. KATHY CASTOR of florida in the house of representatives Friday, March 27, 2026 Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Michael Tomor and his contributions to the arts, especially as executive director of the Tampa Museum of Art. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Tomor demonstrated unwavering dedication to the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of art and culture. His visionary leadership has advanced the mission of the institutions he has served and inspired colleagues, emerging museum professionals, and communities nationwide. From curating landmark exhibitions to fostering educational initiatives and advocating for accessibility in the arts, Tomor's impact is profound and enduring. Tomor completed his undergraduate and doctoral studies at Pennsylvania State University. After finishing his education, he returned to his hometown of El Paso, where he began his early professional work. Tomor's leadership eventually led him to Tampa where he has served as the executive director of the Tampa Museum of Art for over a decade. At TMA, Tomor led a period of significant growth and transformation. TMA acquired more than 1,500 works of art, enriching its collection and broadening the cultural resources available to the public. He also ushered the museum through a major expansion, adding approximately 32,000 square feet to the museum. Tomor is a passionate advocate for the role of art in children's education. His commitment to showcasing how museums foster learning opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom is a hallmark of his legacy. Tomor led initiatives to significantly expand the presence of artists in underserved school districts, tripling the number of artists working directly with students. By integrating artistic activities into preschool programs, he helped develop methods that used creative expression to strengthen literacy for young students in the community. Tomor welcomed high school art students to display their work at TMA during the annual congressional art competition-- providing budding artists with a point of pride for their work. Building on these successes, Tomor later expanded them to serve military veterans coping with post-traumatic stress. Beyond his professional accomplishments in the arts, Tomor is a steadfast advocate for civic and cultural engagement including the importance of representation and authenticity, stating, ``art is a reflection of so many things that make us human and encourages us to look beyond the surface.'' Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing and honoring Michael Tomor for his exceptional contributions to the Tampa Bay area and the greater arts community, and wishing him the very best in his well-earned retirement. He is a shining example of how the tremendous impact of hard work and service to the community can encourage others to reach their highest potential. ____________________