[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 128 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO PROFESSOR DEAN BERGERON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 2, 2002

  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Professor Dean 
Bergeron upon his retirement for his lifetime commitment to educating 
and inspiring students at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
  Robert F. Kennedy often said that ``It is from numberless diverse 
acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a 
man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or 
strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope; 
and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and 
daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the 
mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.''
  Professor Dean Bergeron, who is lovingly referred to by students as 
``Dean'', learned the lessons of acceptance, tolerance and the joy of 
life from his parents Joseph and Chloe. Their upbringing inspired Dean 
to enter the teaching profession, so he studied History at St. 
Michael's College. Upon the completion of his baccalaureate degree, his 
passion motivated him to further his education in history at both 
Villanova and Brown University. In 1965, Dean Bergeron concluded his 
studies and accepted a teaching position in the History Department at 
Lowell State College, a decision that resulted in a lifetime career 
that positively changed thousands of students' lives.
  Dean Bergeron displayed diverse acts of courage on a daily basis by 
challenging students to recognize the depths of their potential. He 
implemented cutting edge classroom techniques to keep students engaged. 
He created the Model Leagues, an involvement learning program for 
students to participate in simulated United Nations and Arab League 
conferences. He and Professor Joyce Denning used their own money to 
start a grant program for students. He even implemented new classes 
into the curriculum, such as, Middle East Studies, the Environment and 
the Kennedys.
  His impact upon the lives of students has truly been remarkable. The 
Model Leagues program is one of the best in the nation, winning local, 
national and international awards. It has provided students with the 
opportunity to learn and to travel. The grant opportunities has 
provided students an opportunity to create meaningful projects at home 
and abroad. There are few words to express the way students feel about 
him. Many refer to him as a mentor, advisor and best friend.
  Dean Bergeron used the classroom to encourage students to stand up 
for an ideal, to help those less fortunate and to dispel myths about 
other cultures. Dean was truly an outstanding professor who cared about 
his students. His legacy has created countless ripples of hopes that 
impacted the hearts and minds of his students and has left the 
University of Massachusetts Lowell, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
the United States of America and the World community a far better 
place.

                          ____________________