[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. PATRICIA C. DONOHUE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM (BILL) CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 1996

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I applaud and salute Dr. Donohue on her tenure 
as President of the National Council for Occupational Education [NCOE].
  Dr. Patricia C. Donohue has provided dynamic leadership as the 1995-
96 president of the National Council for Occupational Education. During 
her tenure, she focused on initiating exemplary policies and practices 
in economic development and workforce preparation for workers in our 
global economy, The NCOE's members are professionals in community and 
technical college education who serve as workforce development and 
occupational education resources for legislators and policymakers from 
various governmental agencies. NCOE also promotes innovative practices 
in community and technical colleges and tracks student achievement in 
these areas.
  Early in Dr. Donohue's tenure, she convened a strategic planning 
process which established five critical goals for NCOE for the years 
1995-1997.
  The first goal is to transform education and training programs and 
structures to better prepare workers for the 21st century. The NCOE-
produced monograph Workforce Development defines the need for national 
policy in this critical area and identifies strategies necessary for 
progress. NCOE provided copies of Workforce Development to 
congressional committees, Representatives, and Senators, for use in 
their important work on new education and workforce training 
legislation including efforts to streamline dozens of job training and 
education programs.
  The second goal emphasizes improving legislative relations by the 
organization. A National Policy Response Team was implemented for this 
purpose. Team members made monthly visits to agencies and legislators 
on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The team provided information to 
legislators and facilitated communication with practitioners. In 
addition, the policy response team provided quick responses to 
congressional and agency requests.
  The third goal is to collaborate in workforce preparation 
initiatives. Partnerships have been established with the National 
Council of Advanced Technology Centers. Network (a Department of Labor 
project), and the National Council on Community Service and Continuing 
Education [NCCSCE]. Monographs will be forthcoming from project 
partnerships with the League for Innovation and the National Center for 
Research on Vocational Education and also from the joint work with 
NCCSCE. The National Association for Manufacturing and the National 
Skill Standards Board are among other partners working with NCOE.
  The fourth goal established is to inaugurate a leadership development 
program. Regional training conferences will be established to implement 
this goal.
  The fifth goal is that of enhancing operating strategies for member 
services. In addition to improvements in the organization's newsletter, 
an Internet electronic Web page has been initiated to provide 
information and respond to questions.
  Dr. Donohue also serves on the Commission on Community and Workforce 
Development of the American Association of Community Colleges [AACC]. 
She is a coauthor of a Commission Monograph on the community college 
role in implementing reforms in workforce preparation proposed in 
Federal legislation.
  Again, congratulations and best wishes for continued success in your 
efforts with the National Council for Occupational Education as well as 
with St. Louis Community College.

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