[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         BERNADETTE GRAY-LITTLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LYNN JENKINS

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2017

  Ms. JENKINS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Bernadette Gray-Little for her unwavering leadership and 
service as the 17th Chancellor of the University of Kansas. As her 
tenure comes to an end and we reflect on her eight years as Chancellor, 
we celebrate the work Bernadette Gray-Little has done to positively 
impact the university, the state of Kansas, and beyond.
   Chancellor Gray-Little has championed initiatives for the University 
such as the implementation of new admissions standards, prioritizing 
retention and graduation rates, and succeeding at growing the freshman 
class for five consecutive years. She has overseen the physical 
transformation of KU's campuses by securing support for new projects as 
well as major renovations for the university.
   Additionally, she has demonstrated courage and compassion by leading 
university conversations on matters such as sexual assault, diversity 
and inclusion, campus safety, and the living and working environment on 
the university's campus.
   When it comes to the state of Kansas, Chancellor Gray-Little has 
made her imprint through undertaking university efforts that would help 
in creating new jobs to spur economic growth, launching startup 
companies, developing corporate partnerships, licensing new 
technologies, and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among faculty, 
staff and students alike.
   Chancellor Gray-Little demonstrated national leadership as a member 
of the board of directors of the Association of American Universities 
and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. As a member 
on these boards, she played an important role on the national level as 
a strong advocate for higher education and the importance of research 
funding. We can see her impact as she led the university to new heights 
in research funding that will benefit people around the globe.
   As Chancellor of KU, Bernadette Gray-Little made history as the 
first female and first African-American Chancellor in the university's 
existence. Chancellor Gray-Little has led the University of Kansas with 
strength and humility. She truly has been an inspiration to students, 
staff, faculty, and colleagues throughout the state and our nation.
   I extend my deepest appreciation to Bernadette Gray-Little for her 
service and commitment to the University of Kansas and I wish her all 
the best in the years ahead.

                          ____________________