[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7180]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF DR. LARRY RIVERS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 17, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Dr. Larry E. Rivers, the eighth president of The Fort Valley State 
University in Fort Valley, Georgia, who will be leaving after seven 
years as President of the school. He will be honored at a farewell 
reception on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at the C.W. Pettigrew Center on 
the FVSU campus.
  Born in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, Dr. Rivers is an alumnus of Fort 
Valley State College (now University) with a Bachelor of Science degree 
in Social Science Education. He also earned a Master's in History from 
Villanova University, a Doctor of Arts degree in History and Curriculum 
Development from Carnegie-Mellon University, and a Doctor of Philosophy 
in History degree from Goldsmith's College of the University of London.
  Before he was the President of The Fort Valley State University, Dr. 
Rivers taught history at Florida A&M University for more than twenty 
years, ultimately achieving the rank of ``Distinguished University 
Professor,'' one of only two on campus. He also held a number of 
administrative appointments and was selected as Dean of the FAMU 
College of Arts and Sciences in 2002.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Rivers has revolutionized The Fort Valley State 
University in many ways during his seven-year tenure as President. In 
the beginning, he certainly had his work cut out for him because the 
school faced budgetary issues, decreasing student enrollment, aging 
facilities and low staff morale. Today, a dramatic change can be seen 
throughout the school, particularly in increased enrollment numbers and 
several new completed construction projects.
  Under Dr. Rivers' leadership, The FVSU has launched several projects 
including the construction of a $16.8 million Academic, Science and 
Classroom Building; a $9 million Wildcat Stadium; a $6 million Student 
Amenities Building; a new seven-building residential complex, a State 
Animal Facility for Emergencies (SAFE) Center, and several renovations 
to existing buildings.
  Georgia Trend magazine has highlighted Dr. Rivers' strong leadership 
and The FVSU's rapid growth by naming Dr. Rivers among the ``100 Most 
Influential Georgians'' and The FVSU among the ``Best Places to Work in 
Georgia'' in 2008. The magazine also named Dr. Rivers as one of 
``Georgia's Top 25 Leaders'' in September 2010. Ebony magazine has 
recognized Dr. Rivers as one of America's notable black leaders as 
well. In addition, Dr. Rivers' Slavery in Florida, Territorial Days to 
Emancipation, published in 2000, won three national awards. His 
subsequent publications have also received scholarly acclaim and 
honors.
  One of the many things I admire most about Dr. Rivers is his 
unfailing dedication to The Fort Valley State University. After 
graduating from the school in 1973, he came back years later to take on 
the difficult challenge of turning the school around. And what a 
difference he has made! Enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year has 
almost doubled since he arrived in 2006. Previously, The FVSU was 
unranked by the U.S. News Media group, but the University made the list 
of ``America's Best Black Colleges'' four years in a row and was 
recognized by the 2013 U.S. News and World Report as the top public 
historically black college and university in Georgia.
  The city of Fort Valley has also felt the earthquake of change 
emanating from The FVSU campus. City officials are preparing for the 
growth of the town of 8,600 residents and existing infrastructure is 
expanding to accommodate new residents and businesses in large part 
because of The FVSU.
  Dr. Rivers has achieved many things in his life, but none of it would 
have been possible without the grace of God and his loving wife, the 
former Betty Hubbard, who has been an extraordinary engaging and 
dignified first lady to the University. Together, they reared two 
exceptional sons, Larry Omar and Linje Eugene, who like their parents, 
are achievers in their own right.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Dr. 
Larry E. Rivers for his seven outstanding years as President of The 
Fort Valley State University. His energizing leadership has helped to 
transform this school for the better to provide students with state-of-
the-art classrooms and facilities, a fulfilling college experience, and 
a quality education, and the tools with which to attain successful and 
productive lives.

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