[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     IN HONOR OF LUIS P. VILLARREAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2000

  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I congratulate Luis P. Villarreal, 
who received the 2000 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, 
Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring for his work in developing 
science education and research programs to assist minority students at 
the high school and university level. Mr. Villarreal is a professor of 
molecular biology and biochemistry at the University of California, 
Irvine (UCI). He was selected as one of ten individual recipients to 
receive this prestigious award.
  Mr. Villarreal began his academic career when he enrolled in a 
community college to become a medical technologist. Encouraged to 
continue his education, he went to complete a 4-year degree in 
chemistry and then entered graduate school. As a researcher in biology, 
Mr. Villarreal is currently doing research on the connection between 
cervical cancer and viruses. He also manages a million-dollar annual 
budget for the minority science program at UCI.
  His greatest reward is to help struggling students achieve success in 
college, and to encourage them to become scientists. One of his 
students remarked that he is relaxed, but brilliant and very funny. 
Through his mentoring program, Mr. Villarreal has guided many under-
represented students into the sciences. These students participate in a 
rigorous academic and research training program that is mentored by 
faculty members. The program includes paid internships, tutoring, 
academic advising, faculty seminars and participation at national 
conferences.
  Colleagues, please join with me as we honor Mr. Luis P. Villarreal 
for his outstanding academic and educational achievements.

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