[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 131 (Wednesday, September 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF DR. ERNEST L. THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 7, 2011

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Ernest L. 
Thomas for his career and commitment in academia and educating 
America's youth.
  Dr. Thomas, who has been the President at Tarrant County College 
South Campus since 1998, graduated with a major in Sociology from 
Washington State in 1971. He received his master's from the University 
of Massachusetts in 1976 and his doctorate from the University of Texas 
at Austin in the Community College Leadership Program in 1996.
  From 1975 to 1990, Dr. Thomas was the Director of Educational Support 
Programs and Dean of Student Development at Evergreen State College in 
Olympia, Washington. Before holding his current position, Dr. Thomas 
was the Vice-President of Student Development at Brookhaven College in 
the Dallas County Community College District for almost eight years.
  Dr. Thomas has been involved with numerous professional committees 
and organizations including the American Association of Community 
Colleges and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
  In addition to his professional involvement, Dr. Thomas is actively 
involved with several community and civic organizations such as the 
Fort Worth Independent School District and the Fort Worth Metropolitan 
Black Chamber of Commerce where he served as the Chairman of the Board 
of Directors for nearly five years. In addition, Dr. Thomas serves as a 
motivational speaker for numerous community events.
  Dr. Thomas' outstanding service has been well documented and has 
earned him a long list of achievements and awards. These honors include 
the Kellogg Fellow Award from the Community College Leadership Program 
of the University of Texas at Austin, and the Silver Scholar award from 
the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education. Please 
join me in recognizing and thanking this exceptional educator and 
community leader and his lifelong commitment to education.

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