[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATIONS TO MACOMB COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate an excellent 
educational institution in Michigan, Macomb Community College, as it 
celebrates its 50th anniversary. ``Community'' is central to the vision 
of Macomb Community College (MCC), and over its fifty years of service 
I am confident it has touched nearly every home in Macomb County in one 
way or another.
  MCC was founded as part of a K-14 system and was known as ``South 
Macomb Community.'' Approximately 84 students attended classes, $2.00 
per credit hour, in seventeen basic course areas at night in space 
borrowed at Lincoln High School. Today its reach extends to six campus 
sites and outreach centers and it enjoys an annual enrollment of 44,000 
students with 1100 courses offered in the day, night, and online.
  Every decade has seen expansion and distinction at MCC. In the 1960s 
their service area was expanded to include the entire county, and its 
two main campuses, South and Central, became realities so it could 
serve both, urban and rural areas.
  Enrollment continued to climb in the 1970s and, at one point in the 
1980s, MCC was the third largest college in the state behind the 
University of Michigan and Michigan State University. They also added a 
world-class facility, the Macomb Center for Performing Arts, which now 
holds nearly 700 events annually, enjoyed by some 260,000 individuals. 
It was also in the 1980s that a third campus site was added to house 
police and fire academies, workforce development and training, and 
continuing education programs.
  In the 1990s, the College partnered with nine universities and upper 
division public and private colleges to launch the University Center 
where approximately 2500 students could pursue bachelors and masters 
degrees closer to home. Also in this decade, its fourth campus, the 
Emergency Services Training Center was constructed as a state-of-the-
art training facility for police, fire, first responder, emergency 
medical and municipal services.
  In 2002, MCC partnered with the State of Michigan on the site of the 
former Army Tank Plant, after the property was transferred from 
military to public use, to build its most recent addition, ``The 
Michigan Technical Education Center'' (M-TEC) to house the College's 
comprehensive Workforce Development Institute.
  Mr. Speaker, one might say that fifty years ago South Community 
College planted seeds in borrowed space. Today, those seeds have 
sprouted throughout the entire County. The residents of Macomb County 
have indeed been fortunate to have such a progressive institution 
committed to the educational needs of everyone in the area. The College 
has been forward-thinking in their approach to the needs of the County 
and they have been committed to the vision of a ``better future for 
those growing up in the community as well as the community itself.''
  It has been my pleasure to work closely with MCC in so many important 
areas, like school-to-work and re-training programs, and to spend time 
with the students there. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking all 
those who have helped build this remarkable institution, and to extend 
our best wishes for their important endeavors in the future.

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