[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 467]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                    HONORING J. GUADALUPE VALTIERRA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 22, 2013

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I stand 
before you today to honor J. Guadalupe Valtierra and to wish him well 
upon his retirement from his position as Chancellor at Ivy Tech 
Community College. Chancellor Valtierra's many years of service and 
expertise in the field of education have been a remarkable asset to the 
community of Northwest Indiana, where he has been able to positively 
impact the lives of countless students and educators. In honor of his 
retirement, a reception will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 
Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana.
  J. Guadalupe Valtierra's professional career began with his passion 
for education and learning. Following his graduation from Purdue 
University, Lupe went on to earn a law degree, followed by a master's 
degree in higher education and student affairs, both from Indiana 
University. Chancellor Valtierra's career with Ivy Tech Community 
College spans seventeen years. Prior to becoming chancellor, he served 
as Director of Student Services. In 2002, Mr. Valtierra became 
chancellor of the college's Northwest Region, which includes the 
campuses located in Gary, East Chicago, Valparaiso, and Michigan City. 
In this position, Chancellor Valtierra has been a true leader, 
supervising and directing the administrative and fiscal operations for 
the Northwest Region. Under his direction, enrollment in Ivy Tech's 
Northwest Region grew by more than seventy percent, and today there are 
more than 16,000 students enrolled in classes. In 2006, the new 
Valparaiso Ivy Tech campus opened. Chancellor Valtierra oversaw the 
completion of this project, which included a tremendously successful 
capital campaign that raised $3.9 million. During his tenure, the 
Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, which manages 
the Society of Innovators and the Dare to Dream Initiative, was also 
launched. These programs have been a tremendous benefit to the 
community of Northwest Indiana, fostering a culture of innovation, 
which is so crucial in today's ever-changing economy.
  Additionally, Lupe has selflessly given of his time through his 
involvement in various organizations and civic activities, including 
H.O.P.E.--Hispanic Organization Promoting Excellence, the Lake County 
Good Government Initiative, the Quality of Life Council, Catholic 
Charities, the Gary Educational Development Foundation Board, the 
Salvation Army, and the Northwest Indiana Local Government Academy 
Advisory Board, among many others. For his service and dedication to 
serving his community, Lupe is to be commended.
  Mr. Valtierra's commitment to education and to the community of 
Northwest Indiana is exceeded only by his devotion to his amazing 
family. He and his wonderful wife, Teresa, have one daughter, Adriana.
  Today, there are countless citizens throughout Northwest Indiana and 
beyond whose lives are fuller because of Chancellor Valtierra's life of 
dedicated public service. They have been educated when otherwise they 
might not have been. They have fuller careers and loves. I am grateful 
for Lupe's selflessness, as well as for his friendship.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in commending Chancellor J. Guadalupe Valtierra for his 
lifetime of leadership, service, and dedication to Ivy Tech and to the 
field of education. For his uncompromising devotion to his students and 
his community, Chancellor Valtierra is worthy of the highest praise, 
and I ask that you join me in wishing him well upon his retirement.

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