[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17364]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE WEST HILLS COLLEGE NORTH DISTRICT 
                                 CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
students, faculty, staff and administration at West Hills College, 
North District Center as they are recognized for being named as one of 
``America's 50 Best Community Colleges'' in August 2010 by the 
Washington Monthly. Chancellor of West Hills Community College District 
Frank Gornick, President of West Hills College-Coalinga Willard 
Lewallen, Director of the North District Center Marcel Hetu, and the 
Board of Trustees deserve special recognition for their leadership and 
commitment to education in our Valley.
  The beginnings of this fine institution were set in motion during the 
Great Depression and it is to the credit of the greatest generation and 
their forward thinking that this college came to be. Established to 
provide much needed educational opportunities for our Valley's rural 
areas, West Hills College has been on the forefront of efforts to 
ensure the hardworking residents of the Central Valley have access to a 
quality education and the opportunity to improve their circumstances. 
The North District Center shares in the wonderful history of the local 
community, having been a restaurant, a bowling alley, and business 
offices prior to the service it provides today to students. The college 
district includes campuses in Lemoore and Coalinga, with numerous 
satellite operations in nearby towns enhancing educational access for 
our Westside communities.
  West Hills College has shown great commitment to supporting student 
learning and providing educational, cultural, and economic development 
opportunities to students and the local and global communities that 
they serve. Academic and vocational programs, including administration 
of justice, agriculture, child development and nursing among many 
others, give local students the tools they need to succeed. West Hills 
College has truly become a premier interactive learner-centered 
community college and it is fitting that this institution is recognized 
today for its contribution to our Valley's educational, social, 
cultural and economic vitality.
  I am proud to have West Hills Community College as part of my 
congressional district and furthermore proud to have an alumnus of the 
North District Center as a member of my staff. It was with great honor 
that I spoke at commencement ceremonies in May 2006, and it is again 
with that same honor that I rise today to celebrate West Hills College 
and their outstanding programs.
  It goes without saying, ``Once you go here, you can go anywhere.'' As 
we celebrate one of America's best, let us applaud the dedication West 
Hills Community College has shown to the community throughout the 
years. Please accept my warmest congratulations on being rated the 34th 
Best Community College in America and the highest ranking community 
college in California and our deepest thanks for your contributions to 
our Valley.

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