[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 150 (Thursday, October 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2071]]
              TRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL HISPANIC UNIVERSITY

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                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2007

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the 
``National Hispanic University on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.
  I have the pleasure of representing one of the most diverse cities in 
America and in California--San Jose. Along with the rich diversity of 
the people, culture and traditions in San Jose is a firm commitment to 
higher education. This commitment stems not only from our mantle of 
being the ``Capital of Silicon Valley,'' but also from a strong 
tradition of excellence in collegiate education, as demonstrated 
through our world renowned University of California and California 
State University systems.
  The National Hispanic University was established in 1981 to serve the 
needs of Hispanics, women, other minorities and other learners. 
Although programs through the UC and CSU systems attempted to address 
the burgeoning numbers of minorities who needed higher education, and 
many Latinos benefited from these initiatives in the 1970s and 1980s, 
the gap between Hispanics and others continued to widen.
  The National Hispanic University, NHU, was founded after extensive 
research about the success rate and high quality of education provided 
by historically black colleges and universities that graduated (and 
still do today) almost half of the African American professionals in 
American society. NHU believed that a small private independent college 
could make a difference in the graduation of Hispanic professionals in 
education, technology, and business.
  Dr. B. Roberto Cruz, the founding President of NHU and its academic 
visionary for 22 years, paved the pathway of success for NHU. Although 
he is no longer with us, his spirit and firm commitment is the driving 
force behind the establishment of the University and his spirit remains 
today in the halls and classrooms of NHU.
  NHU's current president, Dr. David P. Lopez, along with the Board of 
Trustees and Advisors, are continuing in Dr. Cruz's spirit to ensure 
that the University remains committed to its standards of excellence 
and the core values of its foundation that made it the fine institution 
of higher education it is today.
  It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate the National Hispanic 
University on its 25th anniversary and wish it many more years of 
continued success.

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