[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 49 (Monday, March 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF RODNEY A. ANDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2012

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Dr. Rodney A. 
Anderson, a noted professor at California State University, Fresno 
(Fresno State) who passed away on March 7, 2012. Dr. Anderson served as 
a political science professor and mentor for hundreds of students. He 
characterized the best of what our nation's education system has to 
offer--he was wise, kind, and worked tirelessly to ensure that his 
students were successful.
  Dr. Anderson grew up on his family's farm where he learned the value 
of hard work. Dr. Anderson attended Geneva High School, where he was an 
active member of the Future Farmers of America and excelled in 
extemporaneous speaking competitions. Upon graduating from high school 
in 1984, Dr. Anderson pursued a bachelor's degree at the University of 
Nebraska at Lincoln. After graduating with high honors, he earned his 
master's and doctoral degrees in political science at the Ohio State 
University.
  In 1996, Dr. Anderson joined the Fresno State Political Science 
Department and worked there until his passing. Throughout his career, 
he taught 200 students in five classes every semester. American 
politics, statistics, political behavior, and comparative politics were 
among the subjects Dr. Anderson taught.
  Many of Dr. Anderson's students have gone on to graduate school or 
rewarding careers as attorneys, teachers, staff members for the 
California State Legislature and the United States Congress, or 
consultants. Henry Adams famously said, ``A teacher affects eternity; 
he can never tell where his influence stops.'' As an alumnus of the 
Political Science Department at Fresno State, I know firsthand the 
importance of a dedicated teacher who serves as an academic guide, 
moral paradigm, and mentor.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 
life and service of Dr. Rodney A. Anderson, a principled man and 
treasured member of the Fresno State community. Dr. Anderson's life was 
not only filled with personal milestones, but his dedication to his 
work and students was admirable.

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