[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 86 (Thursday, June 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF DR. RICHARD SKINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MAC COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 1999

  Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Richard Skinner 
and his contributions to Clayton College and State University, to the 
Clayton County community, and to the State of Georgia. For over 5 
years, Dr. Skinner skillfully guided Clayton College to the forefront 
of higher education in the information age.
  Dr. Skinner developed and implemented a ground-breaking program 
providing every student and professor at Clayton College with a 
personal notebook computer. This launched the school into a new era, 
setting a higher standard for education not only in Georgia, but in the 
Nation as a whole. Dr. Skinner also led the steering committee 
responsible for implementing the Georgia Learning Library Online, the 
most advanced statewide World Wide Web-based library in the country.
  Acknowledged by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as ``a national 
ambassador for technological training,'' Dr. Skinner's work has 
included the development of a fast track for students seeking jobs in 
the information technology field. The program responded to shortages in 
high-tech workers by teaming higher education and the information 
technology industry. Students graduate from the program with an 
excellent education and the potential to obtain highly paid, high-skill 
jobs with nearly unlimited opportunities for future advancement.
  Dr. Skinner continues to be a strong advocate for improving our 
higher education system and preparing our work force for the next 
century. His actions have moved Clayton College strides forward. The 
Clayton, GA community may be losing a valuable leader, but it will be 
to the benefit of the entire State of Georgia. Dr. Skinner will serve 
as president and chief executive officer of Georgia GLOBE (Global 
Learning On-Line for Business and Education).
  Georgia GLOBE will use technologies such as the Internet and the Web 
to provide Georgians, especially nontraditional adult students, with 
greater access to continued education. I look forward to continuing to 
work with Dr. Skinner as he creates new goals to bring Georgians and 
Americans into the information age. It has been, and will continue to 
be, an honor working with a man of such vision and dedication.

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