[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 134 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CERRITOS COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 20, 2005

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, Cerritos College 
celebrates its 50 years of dedication, tradition, and influence in the 
39th Congressional District and southeast Los Angeles County. It stands 
as an honored institution within the surrounding communities and 
continues to provide excellent education and training to thousands of 
students year after year.
  A community's dream to extend the educational opportunities of local 
youth resulted in the birth of Cerritos College. Established in 1955, 
Cerritos College began with a humble 195 students, 10 teachers, and 15 
subjects. Today, the College enrolls more than 22,000 students and 
offers over 180 areas of study.
  Cerritos College's dedication to quality education has made the 
College an asset to both career-oriented students as well as life-long 
learners. From political science to business, culinary arts to 
computers, Cerritos College's programs are invaluable in providing the 
knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today's dynamic world.
  Cerritos College has embraced and utilized technology in providing 
quality education and services to its students and faculty. The College 
boasts an open-access lab of 600 high-speed computers dedicated to 
student use, a modern teleconferencing center, online courses, and 
``wiring'' of the entire campus. As a result, Cerritos College has been 
dubbed ``the most technologically advanced community college'' in 
California for teaching and learning.
  Perhaps Cerritos College's greatest asset is its diversity. It is the 
fourth largest Latino serving community college in the nation and is 
home to more than 300 international students. Cerritos College's 
commitment to serving the community's needs has empowered local 
students and given them a chance to pursue their dreams and become 
engaged with the rest of the world.
  I proudly celebrate with Cerritos College its fiftieth anniversary 
and look forward to working with the College and its students for many 
more years to come.

                          ____________________