[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14125-14126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT, AT THE 37TH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY OF MEDGAR EVERS 
                             COLLEGE, CUNY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Medgar 
Evers College of The City University of New York (CUNY) which recently 
celebrated its thirty-seventh Commencement Ceremony and to enter into 
the Record an article from the New York Carib News for the week ending 
June 24, 2008 titled ``Graduate Spotlight, At the 37th Commencement 
Ceremony Of Medgar Evers College, CUNY.''
  Medgar Evers College was founded as a result of collaborative efforts 
by community leaders, elected officials, the Chancellor, and the Board 
of Trustees of The City University of New York. The College, named for 
the late civil rights leader, Medgar Wiley Evers (1925-1963), was 
established in 1970 with a mandate to meet the educational and social 
needs of the Central Brooklyn community. Medgar Evers College is 
committed to the fulfillment of this mandate. Consequently, the 
College's mission is to develop and maintain high quality, 
professional, career-oriented undergraduate degree programs in the 
context of liberal education.
  Medgar Evers College has a history of educational partnerships with 
Caribbean nations; articulation agreements exist with institutions such 
as the University of the West Indies, the University of Guyana and 
Dominica State College. These arrangements have fostered student and 
faculty exchanges as well as curriculum development initiatives. The 
relationship between the College and the Caribbean was recognized and 
reaffirmed last week during the visit of the leaders of the CARICOM 
states with a new agreement to expand and strengthen cooperative 
relationships with educational institutions in the Caribbean.
  The future is bright for Medgar Evers College; graduates received 
degrees in an exciting array of disciplines and were awarded 
prestigious scholarships.
  It is my sincere hope that other Colleges and Universities around the 
world will join the Medgar Evers College in establishing successful 
student and faculty exchange with other countries, while simultaneously 
allowing minorities and people from lower income families to further 
their education.
  This Commencement ceremony offers us an occasion to thank the 
students and faculty of Medgar Evers College for their strength, their 
courage, and their invaluable contributions to U.S. and global 
communities. So, on this 37th Commencement ceremony, I proudly stand 
with Medgar Evers College to celebrate and appreciate the growth and 
change it continues to establish.

                [From the CUNY Newswire, June 12, 2008]

 Highlights of the 37th Commencement Ceremony of Medgar Evers College; 
                   Governor Paterson Delivers Keynote

       Medgar Evers College of The City University of New York 
     (CUNY) celebrated its thirty-seventh Commencement ceremony in 
     the College Amphitheater at 1650 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn 
     on Saturday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. Themed It's all about 
     M.E.--Aspiration, Devotion, & Culmination, the exercises 
     commemorated the culmination of years of academic dedication 
     by the Class of 2008.
       Following the College's Annual Alumni Breakfast and 
     traditional Presidential Reception for special invited 
     guests, the occasion opened with a grand procession comprised 
     of New York State Governor David A. Paterson, City University 
     of New York Chancellor Matthew Goldstein, College President 
     Edison O. Jackson, senior University and College officials, 
     honor guards, flag bearers, faculty, and the 975 students of 
     the graduating body.
       Amongst those donning caps and gowns that day were notable 
     graduates like business major Alan Newton, a 46-year-old 
     Bronx native who served 22 years in prison before DNA 
     evidence secured his release. Newton plans on continuing his 
     education in law school and later to work in a field that 
     allows him to give back. ``I want to carry the torch of 
     social justice. A lot of people are voiceless and even if 
     they have the power they don't know how to wield it,'' he 
     said.
       The graduates received words of congratulations and 
     encouragement from dignitaries like Brooklyn Borough 
     President Marty Markowitz and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.
       ``In life, as you know, you can either wait for things to 
     happen or make things happen. As a Medgar Evers graduate, I 
     know you've got the style, pizzazz, moxy, and chutzpah. I 
     know that you'll make things happen, said Markowitz. ``You 
     are the best of Brooklyn and the best of New York.''
       ``You [graduates] are the inspiration and motivation for 
     the work that I do,'' said Clarke. ``You are part of a legacy 
     of excellence. A legacy that reigns supreme and as long as 
     you remember that, as long as you are committed to that, our 
     future is secure.''
       In his keynote address, New York State's 55th, and its 
     first African American, governor, David A. Paterson said, 
     ``To all of you graduates I wish for you all that you desire 
     in your careers; but it is the responsibility of our 
     government to make sure that you have equal opportunities.'' 
     He went on to discuss his plans to help ensure such 
     opportunities through the issuance of an ``executive order 
     about the procurement of minority and women-owned businesses, 
     right here in the State of New York, for contracts, for 
     investment banking, for savings and bonds and insurance'' 
     this week.
       ``As you go forward in your lives, don't forget where you 
     came from,'' Paterson continued. ``Don't forget Medgar Evers. 
     Don't forget the younger people who will be coming to this 
     school. Contribute to the school. Come back.''
       The future is bright for Medgar Evers College; graduates 
     received associates and baccalaureate degrees in an exciting 
     array of disciplines that day. Additionally, three 
     scholarships, totaling twenty thousand dollars, were awarded 
     through the National Grid Charles Evans Inniss and Dr. Betty 
     Shabazz Awards.
       The hopeful nature of the day was best expressed by College 
     President Dr. Jackson, ``Yours is an extremely fortunate 
     generation. One that stands in the sunlight of a new 
     tomorrow.''

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