[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 54 (Friday, April 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING RIO HONDO COLLEGE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 19, 2013

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize Rio Hondo College 50th Anniversary. Located in Whittier, 
California, Rio Hondo College is a collaborative center of lifelong 
learning which provides innovative, challenging, and quality 
educational offerings for its diverse students and community.
  Since Rio Hondo first opened its doors in 1963, over one million 
students have come to the hillside campus to pursue their educational 
goals. Today Rio Hondo College serves more than 20,000 students each 
semester on a beautiful campus and new satellite facilities equipped 
with essentials for 21st Century teaching and learning.
  Rio Hondo College strives to be an exemplary California community 
college, meeting the learning needs of its changing and growing 
population. In 2011, The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine 
ranked Rio Hondo College one of the ``Top 50 Community Colleges'' by 
Hispanic Full-Time Enrollment, by Hispanic Faculty, and for Hispanics 
Awarding Associate Degrees. Rio Hondo was also ranked nationally in the 
annual ``Top 100'' producers of Associate Degrees awarded to minority 
students in all disciplines by Community College Week, and in the ``Top 
50'' for degrees awarded in homeland security, law enforcement, and 
firefighting. For the fourth consecutive year G.I. Jobs Magazine 
designated Rio Hondo College as a ``Military Friendly School.'' The 
2013 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 15 percent of 
colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing 
the most to embrace America's military service members, veterans, and 
spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.
  Our community is especially grateful for the strong and vibrant 
Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) program and 
outstanding Veterans Service Center. In 2010, Rio Hondo College 
launched the award-winning South Whittier Educational Center (SWEC) 
partnership that provides a seamless pipeline to college for students 
from underserved areas with a historically low college attendance.
  Throughout its history, Rio Hondo College has assembled strong 
leadership teams in support of the work done by outstanding faculty in 
the classroom and caring and able classified staff who provide 
essential services in all phases of college operation. As a teaching/
learning institution, Rio Hondo College comes together and strives to 
meet the needs, aspirations, and goals of our changing student 
population and communities.
  The contributions and achievements of Rio Hondo are far too many to 
count, but the enrichment and sense of community they have created is 
something to be acknowledged. For that reason, I would like to 
recognize Rio Hondo Community College for 50 years of lifelong learning 
and quality education.

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