[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E897-E898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING RICHARD A. BERMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 2009

  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Richard A. Berman, the tenth President of 
Manhattanville College located in Purchase, New York.
  A graduate of the University of Michigan, Richard Berman has spent 
his career serving his community at the federal, state, and local 
levels. Before joining Manhattanville College, Mr. Berman served as 
executive vice president of the New York University Medical Center and 
was appointed to 2 New York State cabinet positions by Governor Hugh 
Carey.
  In 1995, Manhattanville College was in financial trouble. Unable to 
meet its obligations and running annual shortfalls triple the size of 
its endowment, the college's buildings were in disarray and low 
enrollment left dormitories half empty. Under Richard Berman's 
passionate and pragmatic leadership, the college has more than doubled 
its enrollment, balanced its books, and earned top-tier recognition in 
college ranking guides.
  In a 2003 article entitled ``The Man Who Turned Manhattanville 
Around,'' The New York Times recognized Richard Berman as a driving 
force behind the revitalization of Manhattanville College. Within a 
decade, the college was transformed from a failing institution into a 
thriving, top-rated undergraduate liberal arts college committed to 
offering its students a rigorous academic experience within a nurturing 
and diverse environment. Later this year, Richard Berman will retire 
from Manhattanville College, leaving it a stronger and more sustainable 
institution than he found it.
  Never one to limit his efforts to his local community, Richard Berman 
has projected his passion for peace and mutual understanding around the 
world. As chairman of the board of Seeds of Peace, he has worked to 
empower young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership 
skills to work toward reconciliation and lasting peace. He has also 
provided strategic planning and leadership training at Kabale 
University in Africa, the only secular university in Uganda's Western 
Region.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize my friend Richard A. Berman 
for his remarkable service as president of Manhattanville College and 
his lifelong commitment to enriching the lives of others. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in honoring his tremendous accomplishments.

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