[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 15, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING MARK K. COLIP, OD ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS THE SIXTH 
             PRESIDENT OF THE ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 2019

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I wish to acknowledge Mark K. Colip, OD on 
his appointment as the sixth president of the Illinois College of 
Optometry, the oldest and largest college of optometry in the country 
and the largest provider of eye and vision care in Illinois.
   Dr. Colip has dedicated his career to improving optometric education 
and the profession of optometry and has served in increasing positions 
of responsibility at the Illinois College of Optometry for the past 
twenty years. He has led multiple projects and campaigns that have 
garnered unprecedented alumni and community support and devoted his 
life's work to studying, understanding, and influencing the national 
optometry applicant pool.
   Because of his leadership, Madam Speaker, the Illinois College of 
Optometry had a 250 percent increase in fundraising revenues over the 
past nine years, demonstrating significant successes compared to any 
prior period in the college's history. Dr. Colip is dedicated to the 
sound financial management of the College, utilizing his business 
acumen and service prioritization to enhance essential fiscal 
strategies, and has served in volunteer positions within the American 
Optometric Association, the Association of Schools and Colleges of 
Optometry, and the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education 
throughout his stellar career.
   He has earned the recognition of Distinguished Scholar and Fellow by 
the National Academies of Practice for his extensive involvement and 
dedication to furthering practice, scholarship, and policy in support 
of inter-professional care and his dedication to helping the 
underserved, participating in six international medical mission trips.
   Needless to say, Dr. Colip has a deep-seated passion and commitment 
to the success of the College and its students, alumni, patients, 
employees, and community. So, Madam Speaker, I applaud Dr. Colip for 
his years of hard work and congratulate him on his appointment as 
president of the Illinois College of Optometry and wish him nothing but 
continued success.

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