[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 82 (Thursday, May 11, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DR. MANUEL BACA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2017

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the long career of 
public service provided by an outstanding educator in my region, Dr. 
Manuel Baca, who has served the students, staff, and faculty of Rio 
Hondo College with distinction for the past 32 years.
  Dr. Baca has been an invaluable resource to me and my staff, and will 
be truly missed at Rio Hondo College. Dr. Baca has served in many 
capacities as Professor of Political Science, Director, Dean, Vice 
President, and Interim Superintendent/President of Rio Hondo College. 
He also serves on the Board of Trustees of one of the largest community 
colleges in the Country, Mt. San Antonio College, and is the immediate 
past President of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.
  I have been privileged to work with Dr. Baca in numerous areas that 
have improved educational opportunities for students and the needs of 
our region. We have worked together on expanding transit services to 
the student body and staff by offering free and reduced price transit 
passes and buying shuttle buses for enhanced connectivity, Dr. Baca has 
supported the growth of Rio Hondo College's police, fire and first 
responder training programs that have benefited the greater Los Angeles 
Community by providing a well-educated workforce for our public safety 
agencies.
  I am particularly thankful for the work Dr. Baca has done to increase 
educational opportunities at Rio Hondo College for veterans. As a 
veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Dr. Baca understood the 
important role Rio Hondo College could play in helping post-9/11 
veterans and all veterans receive workforce training and other services 
to start new careers and assimilate into civilian life. In addition, 
Dr. Baca has assisted in organizing veteran student summits throughout 
the State of California. Our nation is grateful for Dr. Baca's service 
as a Marine and his continued service to the men and women of our 
military.
  Dr. Baca has been a role model and leader in opening up opportunities 
for Latino/a students by advocating for legislation at the state and 
federal level to support Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Rio Hondo College Community and the 
many people he has impacted in the greater Los Angeles Region, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Manuel Baca on his 
retirement, and thanking him for his long career of public service to 
Rio Hondo College, the State of California and our nation.

                          ____________________