[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 57 (Thursday, April 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E588-E589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO DOCTOR JOHN BYRD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2012

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of 
Dr. John Byrd as the President of Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.
  This month, President Byrd announced that he will be retiring at the 
conclusion of the upcoming 2012 2013 academic year as Simpson's 22nd 
president. Dr. Byrd has been involved with higher education in numerous 
ways for more than 30 years and has been Simpson's president since 
2005. Over his long career, Dr. Byrd has acquired valuable experience 
in academic services, planning and strategic services, institutional 
research, student affairs, financial aid and enrollment management. Dr. 
Byrd originally received his bachelors and masters degrees from the 
University of Missouri-Columbia, before earning is Ph.D. in health 
education from Southern Illinois University.
  It goes without saying that President Byrd will certainly be missed 
on the Simpson campus. It was through Dr. Byrd's leadership that 
Simpson initiated a new strategic planning process to accompany new 
faculty initiatives. President Byrd's legacy will be felt for years to 
come through his work to increase diversity on campus as well as 
overseeing the college's plans for building renovation and 
construction. Dr. Byrd will leave Simpson next year with a completed 
Kent Campus Center, expanded Blank Performing Arts Center, updated 
Pfeiffer Dining Hall, as well as a new activities quad well under way.
  Outside of Simpson, Dr. Byrd is known for his extensive involvement 
in the community, most notably the Indianola Rotary Club. Dr. Byrd also 
serves his community in his capacity as a member of the Village 
Advisory Council, Greater Des Moines Committee, as Secretary of the 
Board for the Iowa College Foundation Board of Governors, and as Chair 
of the Executive Committee for Iowa Campus Compact.
  I want to thank President Byrd for his many years of service to the 
students and employees of Simpson College. It is an honor to represent 
all the great people of Indianola in the United States Congress, and I 
know that my colleagues in the House will join me in wishing Dr. Byrd, 
and his wife Nancy, happiness and good health as they enter this new 
chapter of their lives together.

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