[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 144 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING DR. ROBERT J. DILLMAN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS BEING NAMED 
   ``BUSINESSPERSON OF THE YEAR'' BY THE POCONO MOUNTAINS CHAMBER OF 
                                COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 2, 2005

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Dr. Robert 
J. Dillman, president of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, 
on the occasion of his being named ``Businessperson of the Year'' by 
the Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce.
  Dr. Dillman is the 12th president of East Stroudsburg University and 
has served in that capacity since July, 1996.
  Since then, he has initiated ambitious and innovative academic and 
economic development projects that have made a profound impact on the 
university and on the quality of life and economic revitalization of 
the region.
  During Dr. Dillman's tenure, ESU has become the first university in 
the United States to offer an undergraduate degree in computer 
security.
  At his direction, the university established an award-winning 
``Business Accelerator'' that focuses on encouraging economic 
development and entrepreneurial endeavors in the region and has been 
successful in generating nearly 100 highly skilled jobs in Monroe 
County.
  Dr. Dillman initiated and is leading the planning for the creation of 
a world class Science and Technology Center on campus.
  Dr. Dillman has also partnered with the Pocono Record newspaper to 
develop a Jazzmasters and Broadway Series which was held for 4 
consecutive years.
  Under Dr. Dillman's direction, ESU has added a new graduate degree 
program, ``Masters in Management and Leadership.'' He also oversaw the 
creation of the Center for Research and Economic Development in 1999.
  In recognition of his efforts in community development, workforce 
training, entrepreneurship and innovation, Dr. Dillman received the Ben 
Franklin Technology Partners Special Recognition Award in 2004.
  Under his leadership, university enrollment has steadily increased. 
Undergraduate enrollment has risen 20 percent while graduate enrollment 
climbed 33 percent since 1996. And, just this year, Dr. Dillman oversaw 
the opening of University Ridge Apartments, a new complex that houses 
541 students. Dr. Dillman also guided work that produced a new 
Admissions Welcome Center, Student Recreation Center, Alumni Center and 
an Enrollment Services Center.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dr. Dillman on this 
occasion. His work at East Stroudsburg University demonstrates that he 
is more than deserving of the ``Businessperson of the Year Award.'' The 
entire Pocono Mountain community has been enriched by his efforts and 
it is fitting that he is honored in this way.

                          ____________________