[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6821]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      IN MEMORY OF DR. VINCENT LEEROY BLOOM OF FRESNO, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 18, 2005

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Dr. 
Vincent Leeroy Bloom of Fresno, California. He is survived by his wife, 
Melanie, son, David and daughter, Rebecca.
  Dr. Bloom, retired chair of the Communication Department at 
California State University, Fresno, is remembered by all as a 
dedicated scholar, a loving husband, a passionate teacher, and a strong 
community member. Students, faculty, colleagues, family and friends not 
only mourn his passing, but also celebrate his life.
  Born in Cambridge, Minnesota, Vince received his Bachelor of Arts 
Degree from Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota. He continued his 
education at Colorado State College and received his Master of Arts 
Degree in Speech Communication in 1967. Ever the dedicated student, 
Vince attained his Ph.D. in Communication from Ohio University in 1970.
  Fresnans were soon to enjoy the intellectual stimulation of the 
Doctors Bloom when Vince and his wife Melanie moved to California and 
joined the Communication Department at California State University, 
Fresno.
  While at CSU Fresno, Dr. Bloom managed to touch the lives of many. He 
served as department chair for three years, developed a course for shy 
students, and served as chair of the Academic Senate Standards and 
Grading Committee. Vince was also chair of the Athletic Advisory 
Council. In this capacity, Dr. Bloom was instrumental in forming the 
committees on campus that upheld athletic academic standards.
  Dr. Bloom's efforts, however, did not solely focus on Fresno State. 
Vince served as chair of the National Communication Association 
Commission on Communication Apprehension and Avoidance; whose 
newsletter he edited. He was also active in the Western States 
Communication Association.
  While he effectively negotiated the scholastic sphere of his life, 
Vince also ventured outside of academia. He was a member of Northwest 
Church, where he served on its Deacon Board. In his efforts to motivate 
youth he sponsored the College Age Group at his church and taught 
Sunday school.
  It goes without saying that Dr. Vince Bloom was an integral part of 
the community. His journey through life was guided by his level of 
commitment to others--a level matched by very few. Although he has 
passed on, his memory will forever have an impact on the lives of the 
people who knew him.

                          ____________________