[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 2 (Thursday, January 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E74]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOHN E. KOBARA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 9, 1997

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your 
attention the fine work and outstanding public service of John E. 
Kobara, the departing associate vice chancellor of university relations 
at UCLA. For the last 20 years, John has been leading and managing 
diverse, complex, and innovative organizations with close ties to the 
higher education community.
  John is a graduate of UCLA where he received his BA in political 
science and sociology before going on to earn an MA in urban studies at 
Occidental College, and an MBA in marketing and finance at the 
University of Southern California. As an undergraduate he served on the 
Undergraduate Student Association, the student body of UCLA, 
demonstrating an early thirst for involvement in the affairs of the 
campus and an abiding concern for its welfare. These traits, coupled 
with his love of UCLA, would become landmarks of his professional 
career with the university. John is deeply committed to the realm of 
education and to addressing the issues of diversity and 
multiculturalism in education and in society at large.
  As associate vice chancellor for university relations at UCLA, John 
has served as the chief external relations officer for the institution, 
overseeing the public relations, alumni relations, campus-wide 
marketing, government affairs and special events, and protocol offices. 
Bringing tremendous vision to this role, he has been instrumental in 
UCLA's embrace of advanced information technology in its external 
affairs programs, and in guiding the university onto its present course 
as a leader on the information superhighway. Prior to serving in this 
role, John served as executive director of the UCLA Alumni Association. 
His multifaceted career has also included positions as vice president 
and general manager of a cable television station, president of a 
theater, and president of a trade association.
  John is a masterful communicator, highly regarded for his ability to 
further mutually respected relationships between and among communities. 
Committed to empowering others to recognize and actualize their full 
potential, John delivers dozens of presentations each year on career 
change, technology, networking, personal growth and empowerment. A Coro 
alumnus with an extensive record of community involvement, he serves on 
boards of the Coro Foundation, the East West Players, the Rose Bowl 
Operating Co., the Asian Pacific Women's Center, and the Council for 
Advancement and Support of Education.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, John's wife, 
Sarah, and his three children, in recognizing the many important 
contributions of this remarkable man. For his many year of dedicated 
service, it is only appropriate that the House recognize John Kobara 
today.

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