[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR H. MARTIN LANCASTER'S SERVICE AND 
                               FRIENDSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2008

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today in 
recognition of the dedicated service of our former colleague, Martin 
Lancaster, to North Carolina and the Nation.
  Martin retires today as President of the North Carolina Community 
College System, which he has led since 1997. The system enrolls more 
than 800,000 students in 58 comprehensive community colleges across the 
State. Internationally recognized for the scope and quality of its 
programs, the system is one of the largest in the county and North 
Carolina's primary provider of workforce preparation and adult 
education.
  Martin has worked to increase State and private funding for 
facilities, equipment, faculty salaries, and instruction and to 
strengthen the system's essential role in workforce and economic 
development. He led community college participation in the successful 
State Higher Education Bond Referendum of 2000, which included $600 
million for community college construction, repair and renovation. He 
has worked successfully with successive presidents of the University of 
North Carolina system to ensure a seamless transition for students 
between community colleges and 4-year state institutions.
  In his years as president, Martin and I have collaborated on a number 
of projects. We've worked hard on the Partnership Fellows Program to 
help address the serious teacher shortage by providing scholarships for 
individuals transitioning from associate degree programs in education 
to bachelor-degree granting institutions. He's helped ensure that 
future Federal scholarships for prospective teachers will be available 
to community college students.
  We also continue to promote funding from the National Science 
Foundation for the Advanced Technological Education, ATE, program to 
underwrite innovation and excellence in curriculum development, 
teaching methods, and public-private partnerships. The North Carolina 
system and individual campuses compete very successfully for this 
support.
  Most recently, we have secured Department of Education funding for an 
innovative partnership among the North Carolina Symphony, the community 
college system, and local public school systems. Soloists and small 
ensembles from the Symphony will visit far-flung communities and, based 
in their community colleges, offer performances and classes for 
aspiring young musicians.
  Prior to his work with the North Carolina Community College System, 
Martin served as assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works from 
January 1996 until June 1997. Before that, he served as special advisor 
to President Bill Clinton on chemical weapons. Many Members of this 
body will remember his 8 years of distinguished service, representing 
his home town of Goldsboro and the rest of the Third Congressional 
District.
  With the experience of being on active duty in the Navy during the 
Vietnam war and continuing to serve as an active Reservist until his 
retirement as a Navy Captain in November 1993, Martin was an effective 
member of the Armed Services Committee. During his tenure, he fought to 
obtain benefits increases for disabled veterans and sponsored Agent 
Orange compensation measures. He also took a special interest in 
procurement and other small business issues as a member of the Small 
Business Committee.
  Our friendship stretches across decades, including our years in the 
House, which we began together in the Class of 1986. Martin's 
commitment and leadership in his law practice, the North Carolina 
General Assembly, the U.S. Congress, on many boards and commissions, 
and especially in our community colleges, have improved the quality of 
life for people of all ages. We have known each other long enough to 
watch our grandchildren's generation benefit from his talent and 
dedication.
  It is with the greatest respect and my deepest appreciation that I 
rise today to honor Martin Lancaster and thank him for his many 
invaluable contributions to our State and Nation. On behalf of all who 
have also been fortunate to work with him, I wish him, his wife Alice, 
and their two daughters, Mary Martin and Ashley Elizabeth and their 
growing families, the best in all of their future endeavors.

                          ____________________