[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 13 (Thursday, January 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF RODEL RODIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 22, 2009

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, Rodel Rodis, attorney, author and 
educator, has been a dedicated member of the Board of Trustees of San 
Francisco Community College District for eighteen years from 1991-2008. 
Since his appointment in 1991, Rodel was elected and re-elected by San 
Francisco voters in 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. During his tenure, he 
was chosen by his peers to serve as President and Vice President of the 
Board three times.
  In addition to his service on the Board, Rodel has volunteered his 
limited additional time but abundant energy to serve as Chairman of the 
Association of Community College Trustees, National President of the 
Association of Asian/Pacific Islander Community College Trustees, 
founder and Northern California Chair of the National Federation of 
Filipino American Associations and President of the Filipino Bar 
Association of Northern California.
  A natural leader, Rodel previously served two terms as President of 
the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission where he was instrumental 
in the decision to transfer fifteen acres of SFPUC property in the 
South Balboa Reservoir to City College where it will be put to great 
use for the benefit of the general public, hosting, among other 
projects, a Joint Use Facility and Performing Arts Center .
  Rodel Rodis' achievements are many. While a Trustee, he worked with 
the Board to advance equality of opportunity through the Latina/Latino 
Services Network; African American Scholastic Program; Asian Pacific 
American Student Success; Women's Resource Center and Multicultural 
Infusion Project. He was also instrumental in passing local bond 
measures for renovating campus facilities and expanding the use of 
technology throughout the system.
  As we both know, Madam Speaker, San Francisco is a community of 
diverse neighborhoods. Mr. Rodis recognizes this and has been a strong 
advocate for the new Mission Campus, the Chinatown/North Beach Campus 
and the Wellness Center.
  Throughout Rodel's career, he has been far more than just an elected 
representative. His passion for education and his commitment to 
fairness, equality and the expansion of opportunities for all San 
Franciscans has made Rodel something of a community touchstone--a 
person whose wisdom, good humor and professionalism remind us all of 
what it means to be a citizen.
  Madam Speaker, the good work of the San Francisco Community College 
District makes all of us proud. I am confident that it will continue to 
provide excellent educational opportunities and career training even 
without Rodel Rodis' leadership, but his shoes will no doubt be hard to 
fill and his nearly two decades of public service will long be 
appreciated.

                          ____________________