[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11198]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      HONORING DR. ROBERT BICKFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 26, 1999

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary man, 
my good friend Dr. Robert Bickford, who is retiring after 27 years as 
president of Prince George's Community College.
  Dr. Bickford began his service to the State of Maryland as a physical 
education teacher at Maryland Park High School. He then spent 13 years 
as a physical education teacher at Suitland High School, where he also 
coached basketball, baseball, lacrosse, football and golf.
  In 1962, Dr. Bickford began his tenure with Prince George's Community 
College as a part-time physical education instructor and has never 
left. In 1964, Dr. Bickford assumed full-time employment status as the 
college's director of student activities and director. And, in 1967, he 
was appointed dean of the evening division, community instruction and 
summer sessions as the college moved to its new campus in Largo, 
Maryland.
  On November 22, 1972, Dr. Bickford was appointed to the position he 
currently holds, president of Prince George's Community College.
  In his tenure as president of Prince George's Community College, Dr. 
Bickford has been honored time and time again by the community for his 
commitment to education. In 1981, he received the Citizen of the Year 
Award from the Board of Trade of Prince George's County. In 1983, the 
George Washington University School of Education honored Dr. Bickford 
with the Outstanding Achievement Award. In 1991, the Prince George's 
Community College new physical education addition was aptly named the 
``Robert I. Bickford Natatorium.''
  But Dr. Bickford's greatest honors lie in the legacy he leaves at 
Prince George's Community College. During his tenure, the college's 
budget increased from $7.7 million to $50 million. Annual enrollment 
increased from approximately 10,000 students to over 35,000 students. 
He doubled the number of academic programs and greatly increased 
minority student attendance at the college.
  Dr. Bickford has left an indelible mark of excellence on Prince 
George's Community College, leading it to its greatest level of 
achievement and success. He has made a profound impact on his students, 
his colleagues and his community in his many years of service to 
education in Maryland.
  Today, on behalf of the citizens of the Fifth District of Maryland, I 
offer our thanks and our deepest gratitude for Dr. Bickford's lifelong 
work to provide a quality education for so many of our residents and I 
congratulate him on his retirement.

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