[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 82 (Thursday, May 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN A. DAVITT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 29, 2014

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Dr. John 
A. Davitt, retired Superintendent-President of Glendale Community 
College, who passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2014.
   John received his Bachelor's Degree at the University of San 
Francisco in 1954, a Master's Degree in Secondary Education in 1958, 
also from the University of San Francisco, and his Doctorate in 
Community College Administration from the University of Southern 
California. Before coming to Glendale Community College (GCC), John 
served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, taught at a junior high 
school in San Francisco, was a counselor at Merritt College in Oakland, 
and was an Assistant Professor at California State University, Los 
Angeles.
   Dr. Davitt began his 38 years of service at GCC in 1968, when he 
took a position as a history professor. Serving as Administrative Dean 
of Personnel Services, Vice President, and in 1985, Superintendent-
President, he brought his inclusive, enthusiastic and open style of 
management to GCC, transforming the GCC campus into an innovative and 
productive center for learning. The longest-tenured head of a community 
college in California, Dr. Davitt cared deeply about the institution 
and took pride in GCC being a top transfer college.
   An active volunteer in the Glendale and La Canada Flintridge 
communities, John's record of community service is impressive. He 
served on the boards of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, Flintridge 
Sacred Heart Academy, Glendale Roundtable, Glendale Symphony and the 
Glendale College Foundation. In addition, he served on Holy Family High 
School's Board of Regents, Crestview Preparatory School's Board of 
Directors, Glendale Memorial Hospital's Community Liaison Council, St. 
Bede's Pastoral Council and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Board of 
Education.
   Some of the honors Dr. Davitt received include the Presidential 
Leadership Award from the California Community College Foundation, 
Glendale Chamber of Commerce's Lifetime Achievement Award, the GCC 
Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to GCC, 
induction into GCC's Athletic Hall of Fame and the naming of the John 
A. Davitt Administration Building at GCC.
   Married for over half a century, John and his wife Gael, have four 
children, Terry Davitt, Laure Heale, Vincent Davitt and Michael Davitt.
   John Davitt will be sorely missed. He was a respected leader among 
community college presidents across the state and nation, a dedicated 
public servant and admired by all as a man of impeccable character. I 
ask all members to join me in remembering one of our community's most 
admired citizens, Dr. John A. Davitt.

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