[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       A TRIBUTE TO ROBERT BLACKEY, OUTSTANDING HISTORY PROFESSOR

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                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 2002

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
accomplishments of Robert Blackey, a professor of history at California 
State University at San Bernardino, located at the western edge of the 
40th District of California. Professor Blackey is the 2001 honoree of 
the Eugene Asher Distinguished Teaching Award, the highest award given 
by both the American Historical Association and the Society for History 
Education in recognition of outstanding teaching and advocacy for 
history teaching.
  Long an advocate of good teaching, Professor Blackey's instructional 
techniques and knowledge of his subject matter have, over the course of 
his thirty plus years of teaching, made history come alive for his 
students. Blackey understands the adage ``History is to society what 
memory is to the individual'' and that humanizing the study of the past 
makes it relevant to the young minds of the present.
  In making the award, the historical association quoted a former 
student's nomination, saying not only is Professor Blackey ``a dynamic 
speaker and discussion leader, but he enriches his lectures with 
slides, photographs, art, music, and observations from his travels 
around the world. He brings the people of history to life through 
visual and verbal illustrations that humanize them; he also helps 
students to think historically and to appreciate the larger themes that 
he weaves throughout his classes.'' Through his work as editor of the 
teaching column in Perspectives, vice president of the AHA Teaching 
Division, chief reader for Advanced Placement European History, 
perennial workshop leader, and frequent guest speaker in secondary 
school classrooms, Professor Blackey has made an outstanding 
contribution to history teaching, the association said.
  Blackey's efforts at serving others don't stop at the university's 
edge. He has served as Chair of the school's history department as well 
as social science coordinator. Additionally, his work includes having 
served as vice president of the American Historical Association and is 
an elected member of The College Board's National Academic Council. 
Blackey also works with Project Upbeat, an innovative program that 
inspires middle school students to attend and succeed in college.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud Professor Blackey's dedication to his 
profession and his continuing efforts to help students appreciate and 
understand history. I ask you and my colleagues to join his fellow 
professors, his friends, and his family in congratulating him for his 
record of success.

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