[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 151 (Monday, October 28, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF DR. JONATHAN D. JANSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 28, 2013

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished 
public service of Jonathan D. Jansen as he receives this year's Alice 
and Clifford Spendlove Prize in Social Justice, Diplomacy and Tolerance 
presented by the University of California, Merced (UC Merced). Dr. 
Jansen is the Vice Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free 
State and South Africa's first black dean.
  Dr. Jansen was born on September 29, 1956 in the town of Montagu in 
the Western Cape province of South Africa. It was here in the Cape 
Flats where he had to face chaos and was stripped of his family, land, 
and property. Even in the face of adversity, Dr. Jansen believed that 
he could achieve great things.
  Higher education was of utmost importance to Dr. Jansen. He attended 
the University of the Western Cape where he received his Bachelors of 
Science degree in Botany and Zoology, and then completed his 
qualifications for teaching through the University of South Africa. 
Later, he went on to receive his Bachelors of Education from the 
University of South Africa and his Masters of Science from Cornell 
University. As if that were not enough, he even received his PhD from 
the Stanford University School of Education.
  Dr. Jansen's passion for upholding strong race relations shined in 
all of his work. His books offer a detailed account on the social and 
political change in post-apartheid South Africa and addressed how 
education served a role in confronting the hardships of the past. His 
effective role goes well beyond the written word: Dr. Jansen also 
serves as President of the South African Institute of Race Relations. 
He is well known for his work to advance education in South Africa and 
his Nelson Mandela-like attitude of ``reconciliation over revenge.''
  UC Merced established the Alice and Clifford Spendlove Prize in 
Social Justice, Diplomacy and Tolerance to honor a scholar, author, 
artist, or citizen who dedicates his or her work to the delivery of 
social justice, diplomacy, and tolerance in local and global society. 
Dr. Jansen is deserving of this recognition as he is someone who truly 
wants to make this world a better place.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Jonathan 
D. Jansen for his contributions to society and to congratulate him on 
receiving this most prestigious award.

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