[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6305]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATIONS TO STEPHEN JOEL TRACHTENBERG

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, as an alumnus of the George 
Washington University, GW, I wish to take a few minutes to pay tribute 
to president Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, who is retiring in July after 
19 years of dedicated service to GW.
  President Trachtenberg became the 15th president of GW on August 1, 
1988. A native of Brooklyn, NY, President Trachtenberg came to GW from 
the University of Hartford, CT, where he had been president for 11 
years. Before assuming the presidency of Hartford, he served for 8 
years at Boston University as vice president for academic services and 
academic dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Previously, he was a 
special assistant for 2 years to the U.S. Education Commissioner, 
Department of Health, Education and Welfare. He was also an attorney 
with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and a legislative aide to former 
Indiana Congressman John Brademas.
  President Trachtenberg has shown a strong commitment to public, 
civic, and personal service. He worked tirelessly to honor and enhance 
the relationship between the University and the District of Columbia, 
supporting and mentoring students, and leading and advocating for 
reinvention, change and civic engagement.
  In 1989, President Trachtenberg created the 21st Century DC Scholars 
Program--now the Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholars--which has granted 
almost 100 full scholarships to students from the DC Public Schools to 
attend GW. Under his leadership, GW's Multicultural Student Services 
Center has become a strong center for cultural awareness and 
celebrations, student development, and diversity training. His 
dedication to civic service is reflected throughout the University, its 
faculty, and its students.
  GW has experienced great changes and improvements under President 
Trachtenberg's leadership. During his tenure, the university has seen 
the number of undergraduate applications triple. Financial aid to 
students, research funding, and campus infrastructure investment have 
also significantly increased.
  President Trachtenberg has received numerous accolades from across 
the Nation and abroad for his service, vision, intellect, wit and 
compassion. His passion and demonstrated commitment to GW and its 
students, the city of Washington, DC, and the pursuit of lifelong 
learning are to be commended. I congratulate him on his record of 
service and outstanding leadership.

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