[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 54 (Monday, April 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING ALECIA A. DeCOUDREAUX

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 11, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career 
of Mrs. Alecia A. DeCoudreaux. Mrs. DeCoudreaux serves as the President 
of Mills College, my Alma Mater, and will be stepping down to conclude 
a successful tenure in academia.
  Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. DeCoudreaux began her academic career 
as a student of English and Political Science at Wellesley College in 
1976. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree, Mrs. DeCoudreaux 
continued her education and received a Doctor of Laws degree from the 
Indiana University School of Law in 1978.
  While at Mills, Mrs. DeCoudreaux furthered inclusion by instituting 
the first women's college policy for admitting transgender students. 
This policy has become a model for women's colleges across the nation. 
She also expanded Mills' global focus and reach by participating in the 
U.S. Department of State's Women in Public Service Project (WPSP), 
hosting 25 women delegates from 22 countries in a 10-day conference 
focusing on women solving the climate crisis.
  Mrs. DeCoudreaux led the campus community and collaborated with the 
school's board of trustees to find solutions to tough economic 
circumstances. Many educational programs have suffered similar 
downturns, and Mrs. DeCoudreaux's commitment to higher education 
succeeded in sustaining Mills College.
  In January 2016, Mrs. DeCoudreaux joined 11 other Northern California 
colleges and universities in signing the Oakland Promise College 
Pathway Partnership, which offers financial aid and mentoring support 
to Oakland high school graduates. These graduates learned the skills 
necessary to continue a path in academics and further their careers.
  Her many accolades portray Mrs. DeCoudreaux as a tireless advocate 
for access to education, including the Award for Education from the 
Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against 
Women; the ABC 7 News Profiles of Excellence Award; the Madam C.J. 
Walker Pioneer Award; and recognition as a Leadership California 
Trailblazer. She was selected as one of San Francisco Business Times' 
Most Influential Women in Business, and she was included in Diverse 
Issues in Higher Education magazine's 30 Women Making a Difference 
feature.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional 
District, Mrs. Alecia A. DeCoudreaux, I salute you. I thank you for 
your outstanding leadership in higher education and wish you continued 
success as you transition to this exciting new chapter of life.

                          ____________________