[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3808]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING THOMAS PFINGSTEN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 9, 2004

  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Thomas Pfingsten, 
Library Director at Portland State University.
  Mr. Pfingsten is retiring after 24 years of dedicated service to 
Portland State University and to Oregon. I join with his colleagues at 
PSU, those in the Oregon University System, and his friends in the City 
of Portland in recognizing him for his leadership, his commitment to 
providing educational opportunities to students, and his work with PSU 
to help this important institution grow into a national model of an 
urban university.
  Tom Pfingsten has served at Portland State University since 1980. 
During that time, the Millar Library has steadily increased its 
collections holdings from 650,000 volumes in 1980 to the present day 
1.3 million volumes.
  In addition, during Tom's tenure, there were three major library 
improvements: (1) an expanded and improved library building that is 
both functional and architecturally stunning; (2) a major 
reorganization of the way in which the library internally functions 
including the creation of a new research and learning center; and (3) a 
transition from paper systems to electronic media in nearly all aspects 
of library organization, communication, and presentation to students 
and faculty. All of these accomplishments have been most impressive due 
to the fact that his era at Portland State has been one of great 
financial challenges.
  Tom's modest, self-effacing style obscures a canny ability to find 
money for important projects and to spend it prudently and effectively. 
He has been a tremendous and tireless advocate for the Millar Library 
and his efforts, and those of his fine staff, have allowed it to keep 
pace with Oregon's fastest growing, and now largest, university.
  In an atmosphere of constant fiscal challenge, Tom Pfingsten and the 
Millar Library--like Portland State University itself--have triumphed 
over adversity and provided high quality service to our students, 
faculty and community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored that I have had the opportunity to work 
with and know Tom Pfingsten. I ask that my colleagues join me in 
wishing him and his family the best as he enters a much-deserved 
retirement after a job well done.

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