[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 84 (Monday, June 7, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S4617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MARK HAMILTON

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I wish to honor University of 
Alaska President Mark Hamilton on the occasion of his retirement.
  A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Mark Hamilton 
served our Nation for 31 years of Active Duty as a member of the U.S. 
Army, retiring as major general. During his service, Hamilton helped to 
negotiate an end to the war in El Salvador, negotiated a period of calm 
with Somali warlords that allowed for the removal of the U.S. 10th 
Mountain Division, and advised on NATO planning related to the former 
Republic of Yugoslavia. In recognition of his distinguished service, 
Hamilton is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal and the 
Joint Distinguished Service Medal.
  In 1998, shortly after retiring from the military, Mark Hamilton 
chose to return to his adopted State to serve as the 12th president of 
the University of Alaska. From the beginning, President Hamilton 
articulated a new vision for the university system a ``can-do, grow 
your own'' philosophy based on strict accountability for results. 
Understanding that effective leadership needs support from all 
stakeholders, Mark traveled the State to learn more about what Alaskans 
wanted from their university system and how the university could better 
meet the State's need for qualified graduates.
  Turning vision into action, Mark led the University of Alaska to 
focus on being more responsive and relevant to Alaskans' needs. 
Throughout his tenure, President Hamilton has been guided by the 
following questions when making decisions for the University: Is it 
good for the students? Is it good for the University? Is it good for 
the State? Is it working? This brand of leadership has led to 
significantly increased support from donors, the business community, 
the legislature, and the public. As a result, the University of Alaska 
system has been able to expand degree options for students, make long-
needed improvements to its facilities, increase enrollment and student 
retention, and increase the number of degree-seeking students who 
graduate.
  Realizing that the success of University of Alaska graduates, and 
hence the future of our State, is inextricably linked to the 
preparation students receive in our K-12 schools, Mark next turned his 
attention to entering into collaborative partnerships for teacher 
recruitment, preparation, and mentoring programs to ``grow our own'' 
teachers. He initiated the UA Scholars Program--a full ride scholarship 
for the top graduates from every high school in the State. Mark also 
made it a priority to enthusiastically participate in statewide and 
legislative discussions concerning improving Alaska's K-12 schools and 
increasing our high school graduation rate.
  I could go on and on describing the positive changes Mark Hamilton 
has spearheaded and supported during his 12 years as president of the 
University of Alaska. It is sufficient, I think, to say Mark Hamilton 
has been the crucial force needed to bring the University of Alaska 
into the 21st century and to set our public university system on a path 
to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and the 
future of our State.
  On behalf of the entire Senate, I thank University of Alaska 
President Mark Hamilton for his many years of service to our Nation and 
to my State of Alaska, and I wish him well as he is finally able to 
spend more time with his wife Patty, his four children--Daniel, Kathy, 
Clay and Doug--and his 10 grandchildren: Renee, Avery, Paige, Max, 
Archie, Henry, Aubrey, Luke, Lauryn, and Mark.

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