[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1826-E1827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING DR. ALBERT L. LORENZO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2008

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Albert L. 
Lorenzo, as he retires from the presidency of Macomb Community College 
after nearly 30 years of devoted and talented service. It has been a 
distinct honor working with Al Lorenzo throughout the years. I have 
come to know him as an active and passionate advocate for the education 
system,

[[Page E1827]]

economic development, Macomb County and the State of Michigan.
  Al Lorenzo became Macomb County Community College president in July 
1979. Macomb Community College provides educational services to more 
than 59,000 students annually and is the largest grantor of associate's 
degrees in Michigan. MCC is also a leader in workforce training, 
school-to-work programs and continuing education programs that support 
the needs of the community. Al Lorenzo helped to create the University 
Center on Macomb Community College's Center Campus, which facilitates 
partnerships with institutions of higher education in offering bachelor 
level course work. He wrote about that experience, ``The University 
Center: A Collaborative Approach to Baccalaureate Degrees'' in The 
Community College Baccalaureate; Emerging Trends and Policy Issues.
  I have had the pleasure of working with Al Lorenzo on key projects to 
try and advance educational opportunities for Macomb County residents. 
In 2006, Al Lorenzo served as a member of Governor Jennifer Granholm's 
Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth in Macomb County. 
The Commission held a series of public hearings across the county to 
better understand the area's higher education needs. Its 
recommendations include stepped-up involvement of Oakland and Wayne 
State Universities in meeting the county's immediate need for better 
access to degree programs and support services and authority for Macomb 
Community College to award bachelor's degrees in specific technical 
fields. In its report, the Commission stressed that these and other 
steps should be consistent with the goal of creating a 4-year 
university in Macomb County.
  Since that Commission report, Al Lorenzo has worked to increase the 
involvement of Oakland University and Wayne State University. In 2007, 
Al Lorenzo led the effort, partnering with Federal, State and county 
officials, to bring a branch of Michigan State University's Osteopathic 
College to Macomb's campus, the first of its kind in the Metro Detroit 
area.
  In addition to his longtime commitment to Macomb Community College, 
Al Lorenzo has been an integral member of the community. Active on 
several corporate boards throughout his career, he currently serves on 
the boards of the Michigan Education Trust and Citizens State Bank, and 
chairs the board of Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals. He has been appointed 
by three Michigan Governors to state policy commissions and asked to 
serve on numerous national advisory committees. His work has been 
recognized through 12 major leadership awards and 2 Honorary Doctoral 
degrees.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
achievements of Al Lorenzo, thanking him for his devoted service and 
wishing him the best in his retirement. I am confident he will continue 
to play a role in the area of education, in addition to enjoying a bit 
of retirement with his wife Katherine and large family.

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