[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 76 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     TRIBUTE TO DR. RAFAEL CORTADA

                                 ______


                          HON. WILLIAM D. FORD

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 15, 1994

  Mr. FORD of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. 
Rafael Cortada, president of Wayne County Community College. Dr. 
Cortada is a dedicated advocate for public education and a respected 
friend, who is leaving his current position in order to move on to the 
next phase in his career.
  Dr. Cortada began his career in education in 1957 as a high school 
teacher in New York and has risen to the position of president at 
several institutions of higher education, most recently at Wayne County 
Community College in Detroit, MI. In addition, Dr. Cortada previously 
served as president and professor of history at the University of the 
District of Columbia and has used his expertise in Latin American and 
Iberian history to serve as a desk officer in the Foreign Service.
  Throughout the past 4 years, Dr. Cortada has contributed his 
expertise and leadership as president of Wayne County Community 
College. This school is a five-campus, multicultural institution with 
more than 12,000 students. Dr. Cortada has handled the challenges of 
directing a large educational institution with ease and efficiency, 
while also working with elected officials to improve the state of 
public education in Michigan.
  In addition to his service as a professor, dean, administrator, and 
president, Dr. Cortada has always contributed his time and skills as a 
member of numerous community advisory boards, task forces, and 
education committees. Whether he was serving as an instructor for the 
Michigan Cultural Diversity Program, as vice president for the 
Washington Task Force on African Affairs of African Studies 
Association, or as a member of the health and welfare council of 
central Maryland, Dr. Cortada has given tirelessly of his skills and 
energy.
  As he embarks on the next phase of his career, Dr. Cortada and his 
leadership skills will be missed, as will his dedication to the 
improvement of public education. I wish him all the best in his future 
position as dean/director at Ohio State University at Newark and as the 
president of Central Ohio Technical College.

                          ____________________