[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 153 (Thursday, September 22, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING DELGADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR 100 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE 
                           NEW ORLEANS REGION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2022

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute 
to Delgado Community College as it celebrates 100 years of service to 
the New Orleans Region. The oldest and largest community college in 
Louisiana, Delgado offers students the most comprehensive array of 
education and training services available in the New Orleans region. 
Additionally, Delgado has articulation agreements with most of the 
state's four-year colleges and universities that allow students to 
transfer their Delgado credits to bachelor's degree programs. As well 
as offering degrees and transferable college credits, Delgado provides 
diplomas and certificates in many professional and technical areas. 
Workforce development is a priority at Delgado, hence the college's 
well-known motto: ``Education that works!''
  Delgado opened officially on September 13, 1921, as the Isaac Delgado 
Central Trades School, at 615 City Park Avenue in New Orleans. During 
its first century, the school evolved into Louisiana's first 
comprehensive community college and became one of the state's largest 
higher education institutions. The college has helped to educate 
generations while advancing the aviation, construction, culinary, 
health care, maritime, and other industries. Delgado serves a diverse 
population, providing career training, academic education, and programs 
to improve the lives of students and support the New Orleans region.
  For 100 years, Delgado has remained true to its mission of providing 
post-secondary education that is relevant and positions graduates for 
rewarding careers in our region's key industries. Delgado communicates 
constantly with their business and industry partners to ensure that 
they provide relevant, world-class training.
  Isaac Delgado's original gift of $800,000 in 1921 to establish the 
Delgado Trades School has produced today's economic powerhouse for the 
region. Now, this investment in Delgado generates over $10 in economic 
activity for every $1 appropriated and has a total annual economic 
impact of $588 million.
  Students attend Delgado because they welcome them all and meet them 
where they are. The best and brightest come attend Delgado for college 
degrees that prepare them for careers or additional education at a 
four-year school. Those who need help to find their paths forward--
including non-traditional students and those needing additional 
exposure to college fundamentals--find a nurturing environment at 
Delgado where they can thrive. Everything they do at Delgado is focused 
on the student--they help them succeed at whatever goals a student may 
have.
  Delgado's reputation for educational excellence is growing both 
nationally and in Louisiana. Of the Top 50 community colleges in the 
nation, Intelligent.com ranks Delgado at No. 37. Given that there were 
1,187 community colleges in the survey, that is quite an achievement. 
No other community college in Louisiana made the Top 50. The 
availability of these and other rankings online are helpful to those 
looking to Delgado to prepare for a career, additional study, and all 
of the other opportunities that a strong educational foundation opens 
up for Delgado students.
  Delgado Community College is a Southern Association of Colleges and 
Schools Committee on Colleges (SACSCOC) accredited institution, 
affiliated with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System 
with 32,631 students enrolled; a faculty of nearly 900 full-time/part-
time faculty members; more than 100 areas of study leading to degrees 
and certificates, located on seven campuses throughout the Greater New 
Orleans Region and online.
  Earlier this year, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh visited New Orleans to 
participate in a roundtable discussion on investing in and improving 
conditions in the resilience worker and restoration economy at this 
campus. The strength of the American economy depends on the strength 
and resiliency of our workforce. We must ensure that as we grow our 
economy, we empower and invest in our workforce to include more diverse 
voices and welcome workers and businesses from all constituencies into 
critical, growing sectors. We were able to highlight a model example of 
increasing inclusion into the resilience economy Force's efforts to 
employ historically marginalized or underemployed communities with 
good-paying jobs. Delgado is a great example of this investment. I look 
forward to what they have in store as they begin their next 100 years.

                          ____________________