[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 83 (Wednesday, May 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING WADE CLARK ROOF

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2016

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Wade Clark Roof, 
who is retiring as the Director of the Walter H. Capps Center at the 
University of California at Santa Barbara.
   Wade has had a distinguished career as a leader, educator, and 
colleague on California's central coast and exemplifies the qualities 
of a true academic. Wade graduated from Wofford University in 1961 
magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Having formed an interest in 
theological studies and religion, Wade moved to New Haven, Connecticut 
where he studied at Yale University, receiving his Master of Divinity 
degree in 1964, before earning a Ph.D. in Sociology at the University 
of North Carolina in 1971.
   Following the completion of his doctorate, Wade accepted a 
professorship at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he 
taught research methods for studying religion, religious pluralism, and 
religion and society. In 1989, Wade moved to the University of 
California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he was named the Rowny 
Professor of Religion and Society. He has been an irreplaceable part of 
the UCSB community ever since.
   Wade is a gifted educator who constantly challenges his students to 
reflect on the changing roles of religion in society and analyze how 
changes in religion, faith, and spirituality have affected how we 
define ourselves as Americans. He is also a prolific author. Throughout 
his academic career Wade has produced many works of scholarship, 
including 17 books and edited collections, 88 journal articles and book 
chapters, and dozens of newspaper editorials. In addition, he has 
provided professional commentary for various media outlets including 
Time, Newsweek, New York Times, Washington Post, and the LA Times.
   It is also important to note that Wade is a trusted colleague and 
friend, something I have experienced firsthand. Wade worked with my 
husband Walter in the Department of Religious Studies at UCSB. After 
Walter's passing, Wade raised $2 million in matching funds to establish 
the Walter H. Capps Center for the Study of Ethics, Religion, and 
Public Life at UCSB. Serving as the center's founding director from 
2002 to 2016, Wade has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the 
center's mission: ``the belief that public dialogue and an informed and 
engaged citizenry are vital to democratic society.'' He is a dear 
friend, and I am so grateful for his indispensable contributions to 
honor Walter's legacy through the Capps Center and their innovative 
programming.
   Wade has announced his retirement and will be starting a new 
chapter. He can do so knowing that his work and influence have been 
immeasurable and will continue to have an effect on his students and 
the entire UCSB community for many years to come.
   I am pleased to celebrate Wade's countless achievements and I would 
like to express my utmost gratitude for his service to his students and 
community. I wish him nothing but continued success in his retirement.

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