[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 100 (Tuesday, June 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1242-E1243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING ROBERT C. DYNES ON HIS RETIREMENT AS THE 18TH PRESIDENT OF THE 
                        UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2008

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and honor Robert C. Dynes, who stepped down recently as the 18th 
President of the University of California, one of the world's premier 
research universities. President Dynes has devoted his talents and 
vision to the University's historic mission of academics, research, and 
public service to the state of California.
  A renowned scientist with a steadfast commitment to the highest 
standards of intellectual life--a hallmark of the University of 
California since its inception--President Dynes has demonstrated 
himself to be a skilled, creative, and resourceful leader. During his 
time at the University of California, he has tackled the vital issues 
facing higher education in the 21st century with both tenacity and 
foresight.
  His service as President of the University of California has been the 
capstone of a remarkable career in both private industry and higher 
education. Before he came to the University of California, Dr. Dynes 
served for 22 years at AT&T Bell Laboratories as department head of 
semiconductor and material physics research and director of chemical 
physics research.
  I came to know President Dynes in his role as the Chancellor of the 
University of California, San Diego from 1996 to 2003. Under Chancellor 
Dynes' guidance, UCSD achieved national and international acclaim for 
its research and educational excellence.
  During his tenure at the University of California, President Dynes 
has been a staunch and effective advocate for America's security and 
competitiveness through advances in science and technology. He has also 
demonstrated this commitment to encouraging innovation on the national 
level by serving in key positions in the National Academy of Sciences, 
the Association of American Universities, and the U.S. Council on 
Competitiveness.
  President Dynes also spearheaded the effort by the University of 
California to overhaul the university's management of our nation's 
nuclear security national laboratories. To accomplish this goal, he 
paired the latest scientific evidence with innovative security 
strategies to update the management and oversight of the Los Alamos and 
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories.
  President Dynes has also been a vigorous and visionary leader in the 
national movement to reform K-12 math and science education. Among his 
most notable achievements is his collaboration with Governor Arnold 
Schwarzenegger, the California State University system, and 
California's industry leaders in creating the Cal Teach Science and 
Math

[[Page E1243]]

Initiative. This endeavor has won high praise from both federal 
policymakers and U.S. corporate leaders.
  With globalization playing a greater role in our society, President 
Dynes recognized that research universities must ``facilitate the free 
flow of ideas between borders'' to create the economy and quality of 
life of the future. To strengthen the research capacity and the 
intellectual development of American students, he initiated 
international cooperation with institutions of higher education, as 
well as with business and industry, in China, India, Canada, and 
Mexico.
  President Dynes' foresight and leadership is evident in the launch of 
the first new research university of the 21st century--University of 
California, Merced. Likewise, his hard work was instrumental to the 
creation of the Governor Gray Davis Institutes for Science and 
Innovation. Both of these efforts will help keep California at the 
cutting edge of research into bioengineering, nanotechnology, next 
generation Internet and the many other elements of the ``New Economy.''
  Therefore, I rise today in tribute to my friend Robert C. Dynes--for 
the invaluable service he has rendered to the country and to the state 
of California. I would like to thank him for his leadership in the 
continuing search for new knowledge and commend him for his steadfast 
commitment to the students of California.

                          ____________________