[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE PRESIDENT OF THE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY, DR. 
                   JAMES A. HEFNER, ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 2005

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary 
contributions of Dr. James A. Hefner, President of the Tennessee State 
University, and to congratulate him on the occasion of his upcoming 
retirement on May 31, 2005.
  During 14 years of leadership as President of TSU, Dr. Hefner has 
operated under the motto that ``a passionate faculty are the most 
important instruments of change in the academic environment.'' He is 
indeed ``passionate'' about encouraging students to reach higher 
academic heights and he is a strong advocate for excellence in 
education.
  Dr. Hefner has helped countless students realize their educational 
goals and subsequent contributions to the community. Under his 
leadership, enrollment at TSU has grown from 7,405 in 1991 to 9,100. 
Dr. Hefner has elevated the standing of TSU to the extent that, for the 
past 11 years, the University has been consistendy recognized in the 
U.S. News & World Report's ``Guide to America's Best Colleges.''
  His rich career has spanned many areas of academia. Dr. Hefner has 
held positions as president of two universities, administrator, 
professor, writer and speaker. He credits the single common element of 
his success to his devotion to students. He strives to improve the 
education and financial conditions of minorities and is recognized as a 
renowned authority on minority economic issues. Dr. Hefner has authored 
50 articles on economic research and authored or co-edited two books: 
Black Employment in Atlanta and Public Policy for the Black Community: 
Strategies and Perspectives. He has served on many regional and 
national boards and associations dedicated to scholarship in economics, 
labor relations and public management. He is a consultant to the 
Congressional Black Caucus, the National Institute of Public 
Management, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and the 
Department of Transportation. In addition to numerous honors, 
publications and professional leadership positions, Dr. Hefner was 
awarded the Presidential Leadership Award from the National Association 
for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (the organization's highest 
honor) and the Achievement Award in Research.
  On behalf of the Fifth District of Tennessee, I join with Tennessee 
State University as they celebrate Founders Day to thank my friend and 
colleague, Dr. James A. Hefner, for his generosity, commitment and 
dedication to American scholarship and service to the State of 
Tennessee. I extend my heartfelt congratulations on his retirement and 
wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________