[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 6 (Wednesday, February 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING THE RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 1998

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Riverside 
Community College District, located in Riverside, California, for their 
innovative education initiative, Passport to College, which makes 
college education a reality for the students of six school districts in 
Riverside County. The Passport to College program is being honored at a 
White House ceremony today as one of ten exemplary educational programs 
in the United States. The president is using this ceremony as an 
opportunity to demonstrate to the nation educational programs that are 
worthy of duplication.
  In 1996, Riverside Community College District began the program 
working with fifth graders in the Riverside, Alvord, Corona-Norco, 
Jurupa, Moreno Valley and Val Verde unified school districts. If the 
fifth graders follow the program guidelines and graduate from high 
school, Riverside Community College District has pledged free tuition 
and fee assistance. This amounts to 12,000 eligible students 
participating in the program. In addition, working with local 
universities, the Passport to College Program has secured the 
commitment of La Sierra University, California Baptist College, and the 
University of California, Riverside to provide $2,500 a year in 
scholarships for graduates of the program who transfer to their 
schools. The University of Redlands has pledged $5,000 per year in 
scholarship assistance.
  Today's youth are our leaders of tomorrow, and Passport to College is 
a model program that demonstrates what can be achieved when a community 
comes together. Riverside Community College District recognized a need 
to help children understand at a young age that college is available 
for everyone. All that is required is some hard work and commitment. 
When we hear about the poor state of education in our country, or the 
problems with the youth of today, think about the success of this 
program and the lofty goals it is working hard to accomplish. The 
program achieves two very important objectives by involving parents in 
their childrens' education from a very early age, and making students 
begin to think about the importance of college early in their academic 
careers.
  Dr. Salvatore Rotella, President of the Riverside Community College 
District, Amy Cardulo, Director of the Passport-to-College program, and 
all of those participating are to be commended for their dedication and 
hard work to ensure the success of future generations. The success of 
this program is due to the hard work and tenacity of both 
administrators and students. On behalf of the residents of the 43rd 
Congressional District, I would like to congratulate them on the 
Passport-to-College program and wish them continued success in the 
future. They are a credit to their community, their state, and their 
nation.

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