[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17350-17351]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF DR. BILLY C. HAWKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Billy 
C. Hawkins upon his inauguration as the Twentieth President of Texas 
College, in Tyler, Texas, on September 20, 2002. Dr. Hawkins has proven 
himself as a dynamic and courageous leader, and has already instituted 
tremendous change at Texas College since he became President on 
December 1, 2000. Dr. Hawkins has secured accreditation from the 
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for Texas College, 
developed a single parent program, developed an accelerated degree 
program, and helped to greatly increase enrollment at Texas College. 
These accomplishments portray the dedication and success of Dr. 
Hawkins. I work closely with Dr. Hawkins and I am proud to honor him on 
the occasion of his Investiture Ceremony as the Twentieth President of 
Texas College.
  Dr Billy C. Hawkins is a native of Kent, Ohio and graduated from 
Roosevelt High School. He was a great football player in high school 
and at 21 years of age, he became the youngest head football coach in 
Michigan history. He enrolled at Ferris State University where he 
completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Teacher Education. He then 
went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Education Administration 
from Central Michigan University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from 
Michigan State University in Education Administration. In preparation 
for becoming a college president, Dr. Hawkins completed the Harvard 
Seminar for New Presidents.
  Dr. Hawkins' achievements and experiences have well-prepared him for 
his current position as President of Texas College. He served as 
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs/Professor at 
Mississippi Valley State University from March 1, 1999 to November 31, 
2000, as Vice President for Academic Affairs/

[[Page 17351]]

Professor at Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia from 
September 1995 to February 1999, as Acting Dean, Associate Dean, 
Assistant Dean/Full Professor in the College of Education at Ferris 
State University from 1985 to August 1995, and as Director of 
Educational Opportunity Program at the State University of New York at 
Morrisville College, Morrisville, New York from 1981 to 1985. Dr. 
Hawkins has authored two books--``Educating All Students (A Pathway to 
Success)'' and ``Reaching for the Stars.'' He has been featured on 
national television and at regional and national conferences to discuss 
our nation's special education system.
  Dr. Hawkins is the recipient of numerous honors and awards. In 
January 1999, he received appointment as a member of the Southside 
Virginia Business and Education Commission by former Governor James S. 
Gilmore, III, of Virginia. In August 2002, Dr. Hawkins was nominated by 
Secretary Ronald Paige of the United States Department of Education to 
serve on the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Capital 
Financing Advisory Board to advise Congress regarding program progress 
for implementing construction financing on HBCU campuses. He also 
currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Tyler Chamber of 
Commerce, the Tyler Economic Development Council, the Boys and Girls 
Club of Smith County. and the United Way. He is the proud father of two 
children, son Billy Jr. and daughter Marlana.
  In closing, I want to share what his good friend Mr. Darrell Green, 
of the Washington Redskins football team, has this to say about him: 
``Dr. Billy Hawkins is a true leader in every sense of the word, and 
most importantly, my lifelong friend.'' Mr. Speaker, I proudly honor 
Dr. Billy C. Hawkins today as he is officially inaugurated as the 
Twentieth President of Texas College.

                          ____________________