[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 129 (Tuesday, September 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1783-E1784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONGRATULATING PHIL DIEBEL ON RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 4, 2007

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Phil 
Diebel upon his retirement after over 27 years with the University of 
North Texas in Denton, Texas.
  In 1981, Mr. Diebel joined the UNT family as controller, and soon 
became vice president for finance and business affairs, his role for 
over 20 years. By 2001, he held the position of vice chancellor for 
finance for the UNT System. His long and distinguished career meant 
that he worked for North Texas State University, before its official 
name changed to the University of North Texas.
  During his tenure Mr. Diebel worked with two chancellors as well as 
three presidents of UNT. He watched the UNT system grow from what was 
largely known as a commuter school to a thriving public university 
system; one of only six in Texas. Under his tenure, the student size 
dramatically increased, the university purchased and constructed seven 
new residence halls, the UNT Dallas Campus opened, involvement in the 
present effort to secure a UNT law school in Dallas took place, and the 
UNT health science campus in Fort Worth became a significant asset in 
the university system.
  His decades at UNT were not simply a matter of Mr. Diebel's official 
positions. He served and gave leadership in many UNT efforts over the 
years, including serving as chair of the responsibility center 
management (RCM), tuition review, and capital projects planning 
committees. He was executive sponsor of the Enterprise-wide Information 
System (EIS), and served on the Southern Association of Colleges & 
Schools, SACS, reaffirmation team and as a chair for committee with the 
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
  But Mr. Diebel's giving nature was not only directed at UNT. An 
active member of the north Texas community, he served on the Denton 
advisory board for the Salvation Army; governing board of the North 
Texas Public Broadcasting, KERA; advisory board of the Denton Regional 
Medical Center; governing board of the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan 
Corporation; governing board of the United Way of Denton County; Board 
of Trustees of the Selwyn School; redistricting committee of the Denton 
Independent School District; and Denton County Housing Finance 
Corporation.
  So with great respect I extend sincere congratulations to Mr. Phil 
Diebel on his much-deserved retirement. He is a true friend of UNT and 
the Denton community and I have been honored to know him as a friend 
and wish he and Polly much satisfaction in retirement.

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