[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 20046-20047]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MERCED

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 2005

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest pleasure that I 
rise today to recognize the grand opening of the 10th campus of the 
University of California system in Merced, California. UC Merced is the 
first new University of California campus since 1965 and the first ever 
in California's sprawling San Joaquin Valley.
  Established in 1868, the University of California has become one of 
the largest and most highly acclaimed institutions of higher learning 
in the world. The knowledge and opportunities that the UC institution 
has cultivated in our students and communities has inspired great minds 
and encouraged extraordinary technology for generations. It is 
recognized globally as one of the world's leading public university 
systems and we are thrilled that it is becoming an integral part of our 
community in Merced.
  I am honored to join the community in the University's opening 
ceremonies on September 5, 2005. This occasion is particularly special 
to me, as my commitment to making Merced the home of the 10th UC campus 
began many years ago. Throughout my career in the California State 
Legislature, and today as a Member of the United States Congress, UC 
Merced has remained a priority of mine. Since Merced was chosen by the 
UC Board of Regents from 85 other cities as the site for its newest 
campus 10 years ago, the road has been long and arduous. But the vision 
and drive of countless individuals and numerous elected officials 
ensured that we would all share in the celebration of this momentous 
occasion. With the steadfast support and unwavering commitment of our 
community, we succeeded in making this dream a reality--we brought the 
first UC campus to be built in nearly 40 years to Merced.
  September 6, 2005 marks the first official day of classes whereby UC 
Merced will ``launch the future'' of its first class of 1,000 students 
from throughout the San Joaquin Valley and the state of California. The 
inaugural class is comprised of students from as far north as 
California's most northern county of

[[Page 20047]]

Del Norte, as far south as San Diego, as far east as the Sierra Nevada 
and as far west as the Pacific Coast. Remarkably, approximately half of 
the students are the first in their families to attend college.
  Under the guidance and leadership of Founding Chancellor Carol 
Tomlinson-Keasey, an exceptional team of talented academic and 
administrative professionals has assembled to build the nation's first 
major public research university of the 21st Century. This founding 
team of professionals share in the Chancellor's dedication to education 
and commitment toward carrying forward the University of California's 
historic mission of excellence in teaching, research and public 
service.
  Mr. Speaker, I take great pride and pleasure in announcing the grand 
opening of the University of California Merced. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in conveying our best wishes and gratitude to all of those 
whose vision, dedicated efforts and steadfast support helped establish 
an institution that promises to challenge and inspire generations of 
students to come. As a Member of Congress it is an honor to represent 
UC Merced in the 18th Congressional District of California, and as a 
member of the community it is a pleasure to welcome UC Merced and its 
inaugural class to Merced County.

                          ____________________