[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1695-E1696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SEPTEMBER 16, 1997 BE DESIGNATED AS ``FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 
                                 DAY''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 1997

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Florida 
International University [FIU] on its 25th anniversary. FIU opened on 
September 16, 1972, with 5,667 students, the largest first-day 
enrollment in American collegiate history. FIU, the first public 
baccalaureate-granting university in Dade County, has grown to 30,000 
students, placing it among the Nation's largest universities.
  This outstanding learning institution offers more than 200 degree 
programs, has the largest Hispanic enrollment and second largest 
African-American enrollment of any public university in the State of 
Florida, has been cited by college guides as one of America's best 
educational values, and generates more than $30 million in annual 
grants and contracts. It has become a national leader in environmental 
research, Latin American studies, tropical biology, hospitality 
management, and other fields.
  FIU has an economic impact of more than $1 billion on the south 
Florida economy and is the major supplier of university-trained 
employees for the region, awarding nearly 6,000 baccalaureate, masters, 
and doctoral degrees annually.

[[Page E1696]]

  As a proud alumnus of FIU, it is a great honor for me to recognize 
the accomplishments for which FIU has been so renowned. In a world 
where education is the key to success, I know from personal experience 
of the ideals and traditions for which FIU stands and for what it 
instills in its students and surrounding community.
  Dr. Modesto (Mitch) Maidique has been the president of FIU for the 
last 11 years and has been instrumental in guiding this excellent 
center of learning to the illustrious pedestal it is now on. Along with 
previous presidents, Charles Perry, Harold Crosby, and Gregory Wolfe, 
Mitch Maidique must be very proud of heading such a prestigious 
university.
  For its contributions and merits, it is my honor to designate 
September 16, 1997, as ``Florida International University Day.''

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