[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 105 (Wednesday, September 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF DR. RAY CLIFFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 2004

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Ray Clifford, a 
long-time Salinas resident and Chancellor of the Defense Language 
Institute. Dr. Clifford is retiring from the Defense Language Institute 
after 24 years of dedicated service, leadership and mentorship to his 
students and country.
  During his years of service, Dr. Clifford honorably fulfilled the 
Institute's mission to educate, sustain, evaluate and support foreign 
language specialists, ensuring that our military forces are prepared to 
meet ever-changing global foreign language requirements. As the 
academic leader of the world's largest language school, he has 
represented the Institute in national, international and professional 
forums including regular briefings to members of Congress and senior 
leaders in the Department of Defense.
  Under his leadership, the Defense Language Institute has been 
continually regarded as one of the finest schools for foreign language 
instruction in the world. Specifically, Dr. Clifford has improved the 
language performance results four-fold in over 80 percent of major 
programs, created and implemented the first standardized language 
proficiency testing program for the Department of Defense and 
spearheaded the Institute's response to terrorism with the addition of 
new instructional and testing programs for military personnel.
  In addition to his commitment to the Defense Language Institute, Dr. 
Clifford served in the United States Army, worked for the Bureau of 
Land Management and the Central Intelligence Agency. His dedication to 
national service is embodied in his overall belief in community service 
and education. He has published many papers and articles on teacher 
development, language proficiency assessment, curriculum design and 
educational program administration.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate Dr. Clifford on his retirement 
and thank him for his contributions to our community and country. Dr. 
Clifford has dedicated his life to public service and his contributions 
to the Defense Language Institute have been instrumental in the 
Institute's recognition as a world renowned language instruction 
institute. I wish him the best in his retirement.

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