[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17899]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY COMMUNITY 
                                COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2006

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like today to 
congratulate the trustees, faculty and students of the San Bernardino 
Valley College as they celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding 
of this vital education provider in my home town of San Bernardino, 
California.
  Beginning with 140 students at two high school campuses in 1926, San 
Bernardino Valley Community College has grown into a district with two 
modern campuses and thousands of students. It has served more than 
700,000 students over the past 80 years.
  Valley College, as it was known when I was growing up in San 
Bernardino, has long been a pillar of the local educational community--
and for some time was our only public institution for higher education. 
We now have California State University San Bernardino and nearby 
University of California, Riverside. But because of its range of 
programs, Valley College is still the destination of choice for many 
students.
  The college's low cost and dedication to helping students of all 
economic backgrounds has made Valley College's student body one of the 
most diverse in the Nation. Its graduates go on to complete four-year 
degrees at top universities, and provide the skilled labor for the 
area's rapidly growing economy.
  I have been proud over the years to have supported Valley College's 
efforts to improve its campus and programs. With the help of earthquake 
mitigation funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the 
college has completely remade its central facilities, tearing down main 
buildings and replacing them with a new library, Health and Human 
Sciences Building, administration and student services building and the 
newest addition--a 37,000-square-foot Campus Center. A new art building 
with a modern gallery is set to open next year.
  Valley College is also home to one of the few broadcast television 
operations in the Inland Empire--its public-television station KVCR. I 
have been pleased to work with the district to secure funding to 
upgrade these facilities to meet new high-definition requirements. This 
station and its related public radio station provide tremendous access 
to the airwaves for the diverse student body, which makes this a top 
asset for the community.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in offering congratulations to the 
trustees, administration, faculty and students of this important 
institution, and offering our best wishes for the future success of the 
district and those who make it such a success.

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