[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 83 (Wednesday, May 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DR. FRANK CHONG

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with 
with Congressman Jared Huffman, to recognize the work of Dr. Frank 
Chong, the president and superintendent of Santa Rosa Junior College 
(SRJC), upon his retirement.
  Born in New York City, Dr. Chong received his Bachelor of Arts degree 
in Social Welfare and Asian American Studies from the University of 
California, Berkeley before earning his Master in Public Administration 
degree from Harvard, and his Doctorate in Educational Administration, 
Leadership and Technology from Dowling College.
  Dr. Chong has been committed to public service throughout his career. 
As special assistant to California Speaker Willie Brown, he developed 
legislation on higher education, mental health, small and minority 
business affairs, and local government issues. He later served in 
executive positions in multiple California colleges including president 
of Laney College in Oakland and Mission College in Santa Clara. Before 
his tenure at SRJC, he was appointed deputy assistant secretary for 
community colleges at the United States Department of Education. While 
there, Dr. Chong was responsible for shaping President Obama's 
community college agenda, working on the Trade Adjustment Assistance 
Act, and developing policies to support the President's college 
completion goals.
  Dr. Chong has secured several key accomplishments at SRJC since the 
start of his tenure in 2012. He was a prominent leader of the 2014 
campaign for Measure H, the largest voter-approved bond in Sonoma 
County's history. This $410 million investment in the college has 
fueled renovation efforts and the implementation of new technologies in 
SRJC's STEM education centers, sustainability projects, and athletic 
facilities. In 2020, he also helped drive the campaign for Measure O, a 
quarter-cent sales tax that has expanded mental health support for SRJC 
students and the greater population of Sonoma County. Now, under Dr. 
Chong's leadership, SRJC is nearing completion of its first on-campus 
student housing in decades which will have 352 new beds. Moreover, this 
project will reduce 7,575 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions 
annually. Currently, SRJC holds the highest acceptance rate among all 
California community colleges for transfer students applying to 
University of California campuses.
  Dr. Chong is a champion for diversity at SRJC. He is the first Asian-
American and first person of color to serve as president and 
superintendent of the college. Dr. Chong has spearheaded numerous 
diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and accessibility 
initiatives. In addition, he oversaw the creation of the new Ethnic 
Studies department, of more inclusive hiring practices and of the SRJC 
Intercultural Center. In February 2019, SRJC was listed as one of the 
nation's ``Top 50 Community Colleges for Hispanics'' in The Hispanic 
Outlook on Education magazine.
  Dr. Chong is a valuable resource and mentor to many higher education 
professionals, alumni, and community members. He serves on boards 
including the North Bay Leadership Council, the Santa Rosa Metro 
Chamber, and the Chief Executive Officers Board of the California 
Community Colleges. In addition, Dr. Chong supports groups like Sonoma 
County Resilience Collaborative and the Bay Area Higher Education 
Leadership Council. Dr. Chong is known for his love of golf, food, and 
wine, as well as his honest, kind, and gregarious nature. He spends his 
spare time with his wife Lene Jannes and his 2 daughters Mia and 
Sophia.
  Mr. Speaker, it's clear that Dr. Frank Chong has been an excellent 
steward of the Santa Rosa Junior College and a dedicated community 
member of Sonoma County. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we 
honor him here today.

                          ____________________