[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E647-E648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF CERRITOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY 
                              CELEBRATION

                                 ______


                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 1996

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in 
honoring Cerritos

[[Page E648]]

Community College on its 40th anniversary celebration. On Saturday, 
April 27, 1996, members of the community, Cerritos College staff, and 
city officials will join in celebrating 40 years of providing exemplary 
educational opportunities to area residents.
  Cerritos Community College was established on June 10, 1995, when 
residents of Norwalk, Carmenita, Bloomfield, and other elementary 
districts voted to form a junior college district. The proposed college 
site was acquired on December 5, 1956, and soon after, construction 
began. By the end of 1959, eight buildings had been completed on 
campus, and funds were made available to provide the remaining 
facilities to accommodate a student body of 3,500 students. By 1961, 
the campus was beginning to look like a college, with the completion of 
four more buildings. In 1964, the campus included 95 acres, and 15 
permanent buildings. By 1965, the enrollment of 10,000 students 
exceeded the expectations of all associated with the college.
  By 1966, the college had grown to 135 acres, and soon after, 
enrollment exceeded 11,000 students. The administration and board of 
trustees turned to building the excellence of the academic program, 
which already had a strong foundation. Innovation in satellite courses, 
televised instruction, open entry classes, and the move into audio-
visual instruction marked the coming decade. By 1972, enrollment 
reached an astonishing 17,000 students.
  By its 25th anniversary, Cerritos College had educated nearly 250,000 
students since it first opened its doors. Course offerings had 
expanded, a satellite campus had been implemented, and faculty and 
staff had grown to meet the community's needs. The college today has a 
automated on-line system, a modern teleconference center, and a 
learning assistance lab.
  Today, Cerritos College serves area communities with a combined 
population of more than 450,000, and has an assessment value exceeding 
one billion dollars. Thousands of Cerritos College graduates have gone 
on the become distinguished members of the community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring Cerritos Community College staff, administrators, President 
Fred Gaskin, and the board of trustees for being a part of Cerritos 
Community College's 40 years of valuable service to and education of 
our community.

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