[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23550]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO NORM NIELSEN

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I want to salute Norm Nielsen, 
president of Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IO, on his 
upcoming retirement. Dr. Nielsen has served the college and the greater 
community with dedication through both good and difficult times. During 
his tenure, and because of his commitment, talent and hard work, 
Kirkwood Community College has become a major contributor to economic 
development in Eastern Iowa.
  During Dr. Nielsen's illustrious 18-year tenure at Kirkwood, the 
college has become the third largest institution of higher education in 
Iowa. Its excellence has been recognized with numerous honors and 
awards. For example, Kirkwood was named by the National Alliance of 
Business as its 2000-01 Community College of the Year.
  I have known Norm for many years. I respect him as a true visionary 
who has helped to shape and transform the mission of our Nation's 
community college system. I respect him as a builder of programs and 
partnerships focused to enhance the quality of life in Eastern Iowa. 
Most of all, I respect Norm as a builder of people, a dedicated 
educator who believes in the transforming power of higher education and 
advanced training.
  I salute Norm for his extraordinary work over the years in improving 
Iowa's community college system. I know that we can count on him to 
continue to play a contributing role even in retirement.
  Norm Nielsen's leadership will be missed. But he will leave Kirkwood 
Community College in good hands, as Mick Starcevich takes over as 
president. Dr. Starcevich was previously superintendent of Prairie 
Community School District. Norm Nielsen is a tough act to follow, but I 
know that Mick is superbly qualified to take on the challenge of 
leading Kirkwood Community College into the future.

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