[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 80 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO DR. JOSEPH BARBA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Joseph 
Barba, a man that has served his community through educating, mentoring 
and encouraging students to innovate and succeed at their greatest 
potential. It behooves us to pay tribute to this outstanding leader as 
we recognize his impressive accomplishments on his 60th birthday.
  Dr. Barba was the first of four children born to Lily and Guillermo 
Barba, who instilled lessons of hard work and accomplishment into their 
children. Born on May 28, 1952 in New York, he followed the discipline 
of his father and used his mother's sacrifices to shape his upbringing. 
As a student attending high school, he performed well ahead of his 
grade in the sciences and mathematics. He was encouraged by a teacher 
to continue his studies in advanced mathematics at the University level 
instead of following a vocational occupation.
  With the support of that teacher and his own desire to achieve, Dr. 
Barba attended City College of New York to pursue a Bachelor's in 
Electrical Engineering. He would later earn his Masters and PhD in 
Electrical Engineering from CCNY. When he finished his thesis and 
dissertation, CCNY had a professional position waiting for him.
  The son of immigrants, he understood the importance of having a sound 
foundation built on education. He joined the CCNY faculty as an Adjunct 
Lecturer in Electrical Engineering in 1977 and in 1982 became a tenure-
track faculty member when he was appointed Assistant Professor. He was 
promoted to Associate Professor in 1987 and to full Professor in 1993.
  As a Professor, Dr. Barba authored over 100 scientific papers and has 
served as Principal Investigator for both research and institutional 
grants. From 1997 to 2000, he was Associate Dean of Undergraduate 
Studies for the School of Engineering. In 2000, he joined the Office of 
the Provost as Acting Associate Provost. Two years later, he was 
appointed Deputy Provost. He became Acting Dean in July 2004, having 
served previously as Deputy Provost from June 2002 to June 2004.
  Currently, Dr. Barba serves as the Dean of The Grove School of 
Engineering, recognized for its rich history of opportunity and 
resources. Along with being an educator, Dr. Barba has been a pillar of 
the CCNY community. For over 20 years he has led the nation's largest 
Latin American Engineering Student Association-Society of Professional 
Engineers (LAESA SHPE) as well as being the director of the New York 
S.T.E.M. Institute. A visionary for and product of CCNY, Dr. Barba has 
continued to push the envelope for what the school, student body, and 
community can achieve.
  Dr. Barba is the proud father of his only son, Jesse Barba. Dr. Barba 
is an accomplished individual with a distinguished track record in 
improved education standards. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join 
me in paying tribute to Dr. Joseph Barba on his 60th birthday. He 
continues to live a life full of joy and is a model citizen to us all.

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