[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 16, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM ``DON'' THOMAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Higgins of Louisiana). The Chair 
recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this morning, I would like to 
recognize one of my constituents in Pennsylvania's Third Congressional 
District, Mr. William ``Don'' Thomas, who will make history this 
evening when he becomes the oldest student to ever graduate from Butler 
County Community College, also known as BC3.
  Mr. Thomas began taking classes at BC3 in the fall of 2010, and this 
evening, at 80 years old, he will proudly receive an associate of arts 
degree in history.
  Furthermore, Mr. Thomas also represents the most senior graduate in 
the class of 2018 among our State's four other western institutions 
within the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.
  Now, you have got to know something about Mr. Thomas. He is an Air 
Force veteran who honorably served our country as an Airman Second 
Class with the 17th Squadron.
  I want you to think about something. This man, while serving in 
France from 1956 to 1959, enrolled in classes provided by the 
University of Maryland held outside the northeastern French town where 
he was stationed, and while there, he earned 28 credits.

  All these years later, following a successful life and career, Mr. 
Thomas decided to enroll at BC3 in order to finish the degree he 
started in 1956.
  Mr. Thomas credits much of his academic success to BC3, which has 
been rated the top community college in the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania in back-to-back surveys.
  BC3 president, Dr. Nick Neupauer, is beyond proud of Mr. Thomas and 
believes his accomplishment is symbolic for the entire community 
college.
  Now, additionally, Don Thomas receives an abundance of love and 
support and encouragement from his beloved wife, Nancy; their six 
children; their eight grandchildren; and their four great 
grandchildren.
  Can you imagine tonight's graduation ceremony when he stands there 
with all those people and receives his degree?
  Now, Mr. Thomas was not a traditional college student. He inevitably 
faced obstacles along the way, but regardless of the circumstances, he 
never abandoned his goal of earning his degree.
  Mr. Thomas reminds all of us that, with faith, hard work, and 
determination, anything is possible. Mr. Thomas embodies the spirit of 
a lifelong learner and is a living testament to the saying: ``If there 
is a will, there is a way.''
  His unwavering dedication, passion, and perseverance in pursuit of 
his dream is not only inspiring and amazing, it is quintessentially 
American. It is who we are as the American people.
  Mr. Speaker, I am so blessed to be able to stand on the floor of the 
people's House today and congratulate Mr. Thomas on a job well done and 
count him as one of our district's finest constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, I say to Mr. Thomas: Happy graduation day. Happy 
graduation day.

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