[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12378]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        IN HONOR OF GARY OERTLI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JAY INSLEE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2000

  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
exceptional leader in my district, Mr. Gary Oertli. For the past five 
years, Mr. Oertli has dedicated himself to the faculty, staff and 
students of Shoreline Community College serving as the college's 
president. Mr. Oertli will step down as president at the end of June.
  Under the direction of Mr. Oertli, Shoreline Community College has 
been revitalized. With his commitment to a diverse campus community, 
Mr. Oertli created the college's Multicultural/Diversity Education 
Center and helped establish the college as a national leader in 
multicultural education.
  During his tenure as president, Mr. Oertli has advanced Shoreline 
Community College locally, regionally and nationally. The college's 
job-ladder partnership program, begun during Mr. Oertli's presidency, 
was recently named best college-based welfare-to-work program in the 
nation. Community colleges are truly the ``peoples' colleges'' because 
they provide a needed alternative to four-year institutions, offer 
educational and vocational instruction at low cost, and truly recognize 
the worth of every student. Mr. Oertli's work demonstrates his belief 
in this sentiment.
  In addition to the leadership he exudes on campus, Mr. Oertli has 
also been recognized as a leader in the community as well. During his 
time at the college, Mr. Oertli enjoyed an excellent working 
relationship with district legislators, and with his direction, the 
college secured funding for a major library renovation and technology 
center.
  Mr. Oertli has also been working closely with me as I try to secure 
funding for the Puget Sound Center, an exciting joint venture that 
teams community colleges, elementary and secondary schools, and high-
tech centers to pool resources and provide high-tech training for our 
young people.
  While I am confident that Shoreline Community College will continue 
to be an exceptional and innovative institution, the college will 
indeed lose a remarkable educator. I am proud to have an exceptional 
leader like Mr. Gary Oertli in my district and I ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing his commitment to education.

                          ____________________