[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 206 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SACRAMENTO STATE'S EDUCATION 
                          OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

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                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 19, 2019

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 50th 
Anniversary of the Education Opportunity Program
  (EOP) at Sacramento State. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the service that Sacramento State's Education Opportunity 
Program provides to our community.
  Sacramento State's EOP has graduated thousands of students, 
supporting the success of first-generation and low-income scholars from 
educationally-disadvantaged and historically-underrepresented 
communities. Sacramento State was one of the original California State 
University (CSU) campuses to embrace an Education Opportunity Program. 
Under the leadership of Dr. Edwin Klingelhofer, the program began with 
a successful pilot for 36 students and has expanded to now serve over 
1,500 students each year. Soon after the program began at Sacramento 
State, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 1072, which 
established similar programs at all CSU campuses. Since then, 
Sacramento State's EOP has thrived under the leadership of Dr. 
Marcellene Watson-Derbigny and the exceptional staff of the Student 
Academic Success and Educational Equity Programs office. Their 
dedicated service has paved the way for equity at Sacramento State and 
does not go unrecognized.
  EOP was Sacramento State's first equity program. It provides 
admissions assistance, a special orientation to university life, the 
Summer Bridge Academy, academic advising, personal counseling, 
tutoring, financial assistance, and various other programs. EOP is 
vital in ensuring the access, retention, and graduation achievements of 
underserved student populations. EOP is a major pathway for first-
generation and low-income college students to succeed through its 
provision of a quality educational experience at Sacramento State. I 
wish the university's faculty, staff, students, and alumni success as 
they work to help individuals earn a college degree and fulfill their 
college dreams.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the 
Education Opportunity Program at Sacramento State. As Sacramento State 
and the wider community elebrate, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
paying tribute to the accomplishments of Sacramento State's Education 
Opportunity Program's staff and students, as they have paved the way 
for the success and representation of historically-underserved 
students.

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