[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 150 (Tuesday, November 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING DR. TOM[Aacute]S ARCINIEGA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2002

  Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. 
Tom[aacute]s Arciniega, who has served my community for 20 years as the 
President of California State University, Bakersfield. During his 
tenure, Dr. Arciniega has played an important role in developing CSU 
Bakersfield into an institution that offers outstanding educational, 
professional and athletic programs in the Central Valley.
  Dr. Tom[aacute]s Arciniega has served as the President of CSU 
Bakersfield since 1983. During his first year, 3,383 students were 
enrolled and Arciniega oversaw a $16.7 million budget. Since then, the 
budget has increased to more than $60 million and the school annually 
enrolls more than 7,700 students. During his tenure, 13,568 students 
have earned baccalaureate degrees and 3,692 have earned master's 
degrees from CSU Bakersfield.
  Dr. Arciniega's commitment to improving the educational opportunities 
at CSU Bakersfield was vital to the University being accepted into the 
prestigious California State University system in 1987. In 1998 he was 
successful in creating a Master's of Social Work program, meeting a 
long-time community need. Dr. Arciniega has become a recognized leader 
among Kern County educators for his involvement as the chairman of a 
local teacher education committee, which aims to develop better 
teachers for the future.
  In addition, Dr. Arciniega has provided a boost to the professional 
development of CSU Bakersfield. In 1990, the University hosted its 
first annual Bakersfield Business Conference, which was attended by 
over 10,000 participants. A year later, the Bakersfield Business 
Conference drew 12,500 participants. In 2000, CSU Bakersfield 
celebrated its 30th anniversary and concluded the year long Cornerstone 
Campaign that raised more than $12 million, making it the most 
successful fundraising efforts in Kern County history.
  Under Dr. Arciniega's leadership, CSU Bakersfield also developed an 
athletics program that has been successful competing on the national 
level while promoting gender equity. In 1993, CSU Bakersfield pledged 
to achieve gender equity in athletics and in 1998 they reached their 
goal of providing greater opportunities for women student-athletes. The 
athletic program was so successful in the 1997-1998 school year that 
they were presented with the Sears Cup for the best NCAA Division II 
athletic program in the nation. In addition, the Men's Basketball team 
won the NCAA Division II National championship in 1993 and 1994.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating 
Dr. Tom[aacute]s Arciniega for his contributions to the Bakersfield 
community as the President of California State University, Bakersfield 
for the past 20 years.

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