[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 104 (Thursday, June 21, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            JIM RIZZUTO RETIREMENT FROM OTERO JUNIOR COLLEGE

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                             HON. KEN BUCK

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2018

  Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Otero 
Junior College (OJC) President Jim Rizzuto in La Junta, Colorado.
   Mr. Rizzuto will be retiring after serving over 17 years as the 
president of OJC. Under his leadership, OJC has achieved numerous 
milestones including becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution and being 
awarded several million dollars in grants in areas such as STEM, 
affordable housing, business, healthcare, and various technical 
training programs. During his tenure, OJC also built many four-year 
degree partnerships to increase transfer opportunities for students and 
became one of the first rural community colleges in Colorado to develop 
online and hybrid courses.
   It is also important to acknowledge Mr. Rizzuto's years of service, 
not only in higher education, but in the public sector as well. 
Previously he had served in the Colorado State Senate for 16 years, 12 
of those years on the Joint Budget Committee. As a state senator, Mr. 
Rizzuto worked extensively on education policy and was a strong 
supporter of the community college system. For his efforts, Mr. Rizzuto 
was given honors such as induction into the Colorado Community College 
and Occupational Education System Alumni Hall of Fame and was named 
``Legislator of the Year'' by 12 different organizations during his 
political tenure.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 4th Congressional District of 
Colorado, I applaud Mr. Rizzuto for his career of service, and thank 
him for leaving a lasting legacy at Otero Junior College. It is an 
honor to celebrate his impact on our community and state, and I wish 
him well in his retirement.

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