[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E753-E754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING AN EXTRAORDINARY CITIZEN, DR. NEARI FRANCOIS WARNER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2004

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an 
extraordinary citizen from the Fifth District of Louisiana, Dr. Neari 
Francois Warner, who will soon be retiring as acting President of 
Grambling State University. Dr. Warner's tireless service and genuine 
commitment to education, and to GSU, her alma mater, are remarkable and 
inspiring.
  In January 2001, Dr. Warner became the first female to hold the title 
of acting president

[[Page E754]]

of Grambling State University, a position she held with great honor and 
distinction for three years. In this short period of time, Dr. Warner 
successfully obtained 100-percent accreditation of Board of Regents-
mandated programs, from 87 percent when she accepted the position. 
Under Dr. Warner's leadership, six endowed professorships and a mini 
college by the Division of Continuing Education were established. She 
also took the leading role attaining the unconditional reaffirmation of 
Accreditation by Southern Association Colleges and Schools at Grambling 
State University.
  Dr. Warner has shown many noteworthy accomplishments throughout her 
tenure at GSU. The Fall 2003 enrollment showed the first increase in 
three years, and retention rates increased system-wide and campus-wide. 
Under her leadership, funding was raised and groundbreaking began on 
the new Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building and Multi-
purpose Center. Additionally, Dr. Warner signed several strategic 
partnerships in distance learning and created student and faculty 
computer labs.
  I thank Dr. Warner for her outstanding contributions to the 
university and to our community and am proud to recognize her notable 
accomplishments and manifold contributions. I extend congratulations to 
Dr. Warner and best wishes for her future endeavors as she retires from 
acting president of Grambling State University.

                          ____________________