[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 146 (Friday, October 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2079]]
                   IN HONOR OF DR. TOMAS A. ARCINIEGA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 17, 2003

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with utmost pleasure and privilege 
that I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Dr. Tomas Arciniega, 
President of California State University Bakersfield. Dr. Arciniega has 
been a champion of higher education, a trailblazer who has opened doors 
for countless underrepresented students, and a good friend. After 30 
years with the California State University system, this exceptional 
teacher and administrator will complete his service at CSU Bakersfield, 
retiring soon after the commencement of the Class of 2004. Recognizing 
that his career has been both distinguished and memorable, the Hispanic 
Association of Colleges and Universities will honor him tonight in its 
first ever Roast and Fundraiser, which will support a scholarship in 
Dr. Arciniega's name.
  Growing up in the projects of El Paso, Texas, Tomas learned his 
strong work ethic and core values from his parents, Tomas and Judith 
Arciniega. In tenth grade, he met his future wife, Concha, and together 
they became an indivisible team, blessed with a true partnership, 
friendship and love. Tomas and Concha are now the proud parents of four 
daughters (Wendy, Lisa, Judy and Laura) and seven grandchildren (Nico, 
Melina, Vanessa, Natalie, Jakob, Lukas and Benjamin). Family has always 
been the top priority for Tomas and Concha, who relish their regular 
road-trips to San Diego, Albuquerque and Phoenix to ensure their active 
and valuable role in the lives of their grandchildren.
  The first in his family to attend college, Tomas's successes in his 
early years demonstrate his commitment to learning, competing, and 
serving. He earned his bachelor's degree from New Mexico State 
University in teacher education. He holds a master's and doctorate in 
educational administration--both completed at the University of New 
Mexico. And his pursuit of education has taken him east to Harvard 
where he attended the Institute for Educational Management program for 
senior university executives.
  A well-rounded scholar athlete, Tomas played football and baseball 
throughout high school and received a football scholarship to New 
Mexico State University. He even played catcher in baseball's minor 
leagues on a farm team for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
  Tomas proudly served his country, first as an officer in the United 
States Army, and later as a foreign officer for the U.S. Department of 
State, where he was responsible for the coordination and contracting of 
technical support services in health and education in the Dominican 
Republic. Tomas continued his work overseas in Colombia, on behalf of 
UNM, as a principal advisor in school administration and higher 
education to the Colombian Ministry of Education.

  Tomas's educational career has always combined his passion for 
students with his commitment to making a difference as an 
administrator. His career has taken him from the Las Cruces Independent 
School District's hall of administration, to teaching at the 
intermediate and high school levels in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and 
then on to the University of Texas, El Paso where he served as an 
associate professor of educational administration and assistant dean. 
From there, he was named the dean of the School of Education and 
professor of educational administration at San Diego State University.
  The California State University system recognized Tomas's 
achievements by appointing him vice president for academic affairs and 
professor of educational administration at California State University, 
Fresno. In that capacity, Tomas accomplished significant changes 
including the reorganization of the academic budget management system, 
increasing the level of outside grant activities, revising the system 
for tenure and promotion of faculty, reorganizing the School of Social 
Work and Health Services, and initiating and implementing major 
affirmative action initiatives in academic affairs.
  For the last 20 years, Tomas has served as the president and a 
professor of education at California State University, Bakersfield. 
During his tenure, CSUB has grown dramatically as demonstrated by the 
institution achieving university status and record enrollment gains. 
CSUB has enjoyed increased funding for research and training, as well 
as major capital outlay projects, including an athletics activities 
center, a new library, a Child Care Center, an outdoor amphitheatre, a 
student union, and the Business Development Center. Tomas has been 
central to the fundamental redefinition of CSUB's institutional mission 
to achieve a closer nexus between CSUB and its regional community, 
resulting in the community's generous support for and coordination with 
the university. Furthermore, Tomas has demonstrated true leadership in 
promoting educational equity and access to a quality higher education 
for the region's diverse population, thus, helping to dramatically 
increase the enrollments of minority and women students and the hiring 
of ethnic minorities and women at the faculty, staff and administration 
levels.
  Mr. Speaker, as family, friends, and colleagues gather to roast and 
pay tribute to Tomas's many accomplishments, it is with great 
admiration and pride that I ask my colleagues to join me today in 
saluting this truly remarkable example of the American dream. Tomas is 
a fortunate man who can retire with the knowledge that he made a 
difference fighting his entire life to improve education for all 
students, but even more importantly, he did so while also maintaining a 
sincere commitment to loving and supporting his family. Tomas sent his 
own children off to school every morning with the simple, yet profound, 
message to ``just remember you're the greatest!'' And he worked hard 
every day to provide those same opportunities for all children to 
believe in themselves, dream big and obtain a first-rate education. As 
Tomas closes this chapter of his distinguished career, I would like to 
say ``thank you'' on behalf of the students, teachers and families 
whose lives he has changed by opening doors, leading by example and 
always holding firm to his convictions. His countless contributions 
will be felt for generations to come.

                          ____________________