Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

WASHINGTON – DC – Today the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Congressman Dennis Cardoza honoring the first graduating class of UC Merced. Copies of the resolution will be provided to the students during a special reception being hosted by Congressman Cardoza and UC Merced Chancellor Steve Kang on Friday evening in Merced.

The following are Congressman Cardoza’s comments today before the U.S. House of Representatives as prepared for delivery:

Madame Speaker, it is with the greatest pleasure that I rise today to recognize the first full senior class to graduate from the University of California, Merced.

Throughout my career in the California State Legislature, and today as Member of the United States Congress, UC Merced has remained a top priority of mine.

Unemployment and poverty rates in the San Joaquin Valley continue to substantially exceed California averages, and high school graduates from the Valley have historically enrolled in the University of California system at about half the rate of high school graduates from other parts of California.

Building the first UC in the San Joaquin Valley in Merced increased educational access and opportunities for the Valley’s students and enhanced job opportunities, new business development, and economic growth throughout Central California.

When my dear friend, Founding Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey, was given the daunting task of building UC Merced she rose to the occasion and began to plan for a campus that would be infused with her personal strengths of unwavering commitment, innovation, and academic leadership.

Carol worked collaboratively with government officials, the private sector, non-profits organizations and the UC Board of Regents to develop support for the campus and to secure the needed funding and authority to develop the campus. 

Carol often said that UC Merced would transform the lives of students in the San Joaquin Valley.  Today is a testament to her vision and evidence to this transformation.
UC Merced has built its reputation as the most ethnically diverse institution in the UC system, as well as being the nation’s first major public research university built in the 21st Century.

The Class of 2009 has played an integral role in UC Merced’s success.

Whether they were building a student government from scratch, creating numerous clubs, or assisting in groundbreaking research, every one of these students has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in academics and a passion to lead their community in the 21st Century.

The best example of the spirit of these students is their recent campaign to have First Lady Michelle Obama deliver their commencement speech.

Through their own determined efforts and with steadfast perseverance, the student body flooded the First Lady’s office with Valentines and letters asking her to come to Merced.
And their hard work paid off when the First Lady recently announced that she would attend UC Merced’s May 16 graduation to give the commencement speech.

These passionate students have helped put Merced on the road to opportunity, and promise to inspire the educational dreams of young people in the Central Valley for generations to come.

I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating and honoring the historic achievement of UC Merced’s first full graduating class, the Class of 2009. 

And I would also like to take a moment to thank the Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, Mr. Miller, as well as his staff, for their hard work, which has made the dream of college a reality for so many students across the country.
I yield back the balance of my time.