[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DR. MARIE V. McDEMMOND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT C. SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2005

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Marie 
V. McDemmond, who is retiring from her role as President of Norfolk 
State University (NSU).
  During her inspiring career in higher education, Dr. McDemmond has 
served more than 35 years as an extraordinary leader and educator. Dr. 
McDemmond has worked tirelessly to ensure fair access to higher 
education for minority and underserved populations throughout the 
country. Her steadfast commitment to this principle is well documented 
through her testimony before Congress and her service on numerous 
national boards and commissions.
  As a member of President Bush's Board of Advisors for Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities, Dr. McDemmond's service has brought 
national recognition to the issue of equity in funding and support for 
minority-serving institutions throughout these United States.
  Dr. McDemmond is the first woman to lead Norfolk State University and 
the first African-American woman to serve as President of a four-year 
college in Virginia. Her success has established the financial and 
academic credibility for her institution that exemplifies NSU's creed: 
``Achieving with Excellence.''
  In recognition of Dr. McDemmond's unwavering integrity, wisdom and 
dedicated service to others, members of the Commonwealth of Virginia's 
Congressional delegation offer the following:

       Our Commonwealth owes Dr. McDemmond a debt of gratitude for 
     her outstanding commitment to higher education. Her 
     leadership has helped Norfolk State to gain the financial 
     resources and infrastructure necessary for prominence in 
     science and technology. The success of her efforts has earned 
     the accolades of government officials and legislators 
     throughout Virginia, and her insights have been sought on 
     several occasions by President George W. Bush. I join with 
     the other members of Virginia's Congressional Delegation in 
     commending Dr. McDemmond for a lifetime of exceptional 
     work.--Senator John Warner (R-VA)
       Dr. McDemmond has been one of our Commonwealth's 
     outstanding educational and technological leaders. Her 
     tireless work to secure the financial resources necessary to 
     lead Norfolk State University to the forefront in science and 
     technology has helped close the so-called opportunity divide. 
     For her efforts, she has received wide recognition and much 
     deserved praise and admiration. She is a leader who will be 
     sorely missed, but I am confident she will continue to have a 
     great influence on Norfolk State's bright future--Senator 
     George Allen (R-VA)
       Dr. Marie V. McDemmond has been an invaluable asset to 
     Norfolk State University and to higher education in Virginia. 
     Norfolk State University has truly benefited from her 
     innovative and visionary style, which has positioned the 
     university to excel in the 21st century. It has been a 
     distinct pleasure of mine to work with Dr. McDemmond 
     specifically in bridging the digital divide between 
     Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other 
     universities. She will be very much missed at Norfolk State 
     University and within the entire collegiate community--
     Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA)
       Dr. McDemmond is everything a leader should be: full of 
     energy, dedicated to her students and determined to do the 
     very best for NSU. She has tremendous courage, and she is 
     always willing to tackle big challenges. Often such people 
     can be intimidating, but to the contrary, Dr. McDemmond is so 
     easy to work with. I consider her a great friend, and my 
     prayers are with her as she retires from her service--
     Congresswoman Thelma Drake (R-VA)
       Under the leadership of Dr. Marie McDemmond, Norfolk State 
     University (NSU) has developed into a vibrant institution 
     with cutting edge programs and operations. Dr. McDemmond has 
     positioned NSU as a regional leader in information 
     technologies and other fields in the southeastern U.S. and a 
     national leader among minority serving institutions. While 
     Dr. McDemmond's leadership of NSU will be sorely missed, we 
     are gratified to know that she has chosen to continue to 
     serve NSU and the greater higher education community by 
     teaching at NSU. The lives of all she has touched through her 
     dedication and service have been made richer and we are 
     grateful to her for her important contributions--Congressman 
     Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott (R-VA)

  On the occasion of her retirement, it gives me great pleasure to 
recognize and commend Dr. McDemmond for her service and dedication to 
the cause of higher education in Virginia.




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