[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13823]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING CHANCELLOR JOSE ORTIZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 8, 2015

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career 
of Dr. Jose Ortiz, Chancellor of Peralta Community College District. 
The Peralta District spans six cities within the East Bay and serves 
over 60,000 students.
  Dr. Ortiz has spent his career serving within institutions of higher 
education and in a variety of administrative positions. His career 
brought him to campuses in California, Maryland, and the University of 
Puerto Rico at Bayamon. His range of experience, both professionally 
and culturally, made him the ideal candidate to serve at Peralta, which 
is within my Congressional District; the most diverse Congressional 
district in the nation.
  Prior to serving as Chancellor, Dr. Ortiz served as Vice President to 
Laney College, which falls under the umbrella of the Peralta Community 
College system. While there he was known for his deep understanding and 
commitment to the many challenges facing the extremely diverse student 
body.
  Later, in 2005, Dr. Ortiz moved on to become President of Allan 
Hancock College in Santa Maria, California, where he served until 2012. 
Little did he know he would one day return home to Oakland and the 
Peralta system. Dr. Ortiz's appointment served as an opportunity for 
him to return home to foster his friendly relationships and spend more 
time with his family.
  His appointment came in the years following the Great Recession, at a 
time when community college districts across the nation were facing a 
multitude of challenges; Dr. Ortiz called upon his exemplary leadership 
abilities and relationship building with his colleagues to help lead 
the district through some of its most trying time.
  While serving as Chancellor, he emphasized delivering programs and 
services that enhanced the region's human, economic, environmental, and 
social development. Dr. Ortiz provided leadership and advocacy for the 
diverse students of the four colleges while promoting his mission of 
supporting student academic access and success. His demonstrated 
commitment to students serves as a fine example to others working 
toward providing high quality educational opportunities and services to 
the marginalized and underrepresented.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional 
District, I salute Dr. Jose M. Ortiz, for his outstanding service and 
passionate commitment to the Peralta Community College District. Dr. 
Ortiz has touched many lives throughout his career, and I wish him and 
his loved ones continued success and happiness.

                          ____________________