[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 156 (Tuesday, November 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2059-E2060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT, DR. RAMON DOMINGUEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2001

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an individual who 
has done an exceptional job at the El Paso Community College (EPCC). 
Dr. Ramon Dominguez is retiring from EPCC after 28 years of public 
service to this institution, the 4th largest community college in the 
state of Texas. Dr. Dominguez has done an outstanding job in overseeing 
the day-to-day operations of the college's five branches and an 
operating budget of about $77 million. He has provided leadership and 
direction to the 2,800 employees and about 24,000 students, 82 percent 
of whom are Hispanic.
  Dr. Dominguez is easy going and has a soothing nature about him. He 
received overwhelming support from the faculty, staff, and students 
when he became the President of the Community College in May of 2000. 
Shortly after being sworn in as President, Dr. Dominguez began 
reorganizing EPCC's top administration. He demonstrated his beliefs in 
being highly inclusive and sharing the governing of EPCC. He also 
showed that he is approachable, fair, willing to listen, hardworking 
and committed to the students and the college.
  Dr. Dominguez graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso 
(UTEP) in 1971 with a secondary education degree. As soon as he 
completed college, Dr. Dominguez began his focus on serving people. He 
has always held the goals of teaching, counseling, and mentoring as his 
top priorities and has contributed greatly to the success of others, 
especially the students.
  Dr. Dominguez began at EPCC as an instructor for the Veterans Upward 
Bound Program where he used teaching and counseling skills to work with 
veterans that were returning from the military, specifically Vietnam. 
He then spent 15 years as a counselor. In fact, Dr. Dominguez was so 
committed to serving his students better as a guidance counselor that 
he returned to school and received his masters in counsel and guidance 
from UTEP. He went on to earn an Educational Specialist in 
Administration Degree at New Mexico State University (NMSU) and finally 
a PhD in Administration with a minor in counseling and guidance. Before 
becoming the President of EPCC, Dr. Dominguez served the Community 
College as an assistant vice president of Student Services, executive 
vice president, and as the interim president twice.
  Mr. Speaker, this institution played an important role in my life and 
it continues to play

[[Page E2060]]

an important role in the lives of the residents of our city. I am proud 
of the fact that in 1977, I received an Associates Degree from the El 
Paso Community College. The El Paso Community College continues to 
provide educational opportunities and support services that prepare 
individuals to improve their quality of life. I applaud the role that 
this institution has played in El Paso and the leadership, dedication, 
and service that Dr. Dominguez has provided to this school and its 
students.
  At the dawn of this new century, I see community colleges such as the 
El Paso Community College as playing a critical role. I believe that 
community colleges must expand and become more accessible to all people 
who desire personal enrichment, growth, and development. Over the 
years, community colleges have assisted many people who would otherwise 
not have access to higher education by providing them with quality, 
affordable education. It is critically important to give our students 
every opportunity to compete in this new global economy. I applaud the 
efforts and the work that Dr. Dominguez has contributed to further 
these goals and the role that El Paso Community College continues to 
play in the fabric of El Paso.
  Dr. Dominguez has guided the El Paso Community College well. I know 
that this institution will continue to flourish and educate future 
generations of El Pasoans. Dr. Dominguez is a pillar of integrity in 
the El Paso community and I want to thank him on behalf of El Paso and 
wish him well in all his future endeavors.

                          ____________________