[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 166 (Thursday, September 24, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H4950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING DR. JOE CASTRO--FRESNO STATE UNIVERSITY

  (Mr. COSTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I 
recognize a Latino leader who has been an inspiration and a role model 
to thousands of students in my home of Fresno, the San Joaquin Valley, 
and that is Dr. Joe Castro, president of Fresno State University, home 
of the Bulldogs.
  Yesterday, Dr. Castro was named the newest chancellor of California 
State University system after spending 8 years at my alma mater at 
Fresno State with great success. He is the first native of California 
and the first person of color to head the California University system, 
the largest in the entire Nation.
  Raised in an immigrant household in Hanford, California, he is the 
first in his family, like so many, to graduate from college. His story 
is the story of the American immigrant.
  He serves as a mentor and an inspiration to thousands of first-
generation college students who have followed in his footsteps, folks 
like members of my family. His leadership led to many accolades for 
Fresno State in recent years as the university continues to be one of 
the best colleges in the country.
  A passionate and fierce advocate for students, his selection to lead 
the largest public university system in the country is a testament to 
his leadership and the respect he has throughout the Nation as one of 
the leaders in higher education. He will leave behind a legacy that was 
best expressed when he first came to Fresno State and he told the 
student body: ``Be bold.'' ``Be bold.''
  Congratulations, Joe and Mary, a real team, a Bulldog team, and 
always Bulldog proud.

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