[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 54 (Monday, May 8, 2006)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E751] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO JOHN DAVITT ______ HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF of california in the house of representatives Monday, May 8, 2006 Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate John Davitt who is retiring as Superintendent-President of Glendale Community College after 38 years of exemplary service. Dr. Davitt has been president of Glendale Community College since 1985 and is the longest-tenured head of a community college in California. He is credited with overseeing a tripling of enrollment, bringing the current student population to about 22,000. There are literally tens of thousands of former Glendale College students who live not only in the Glendale community, but throughout Southern California, who have attended the college--taking a class to enrich their lives, or several general education classes in order to transfer to a four-year university. Dr. Davitt has always included everyone in the campus community, from students and faculty to administrators and staff, when faced with the decision-making process that affected the students. Dr. Davitt acted each day to bolster opportunities for the students. He was instrumental in obtaining funding for the new state-of-the-art science center and planetarium--a facility no other community college in the nation boasts. Through his devoted focus on quality academics, Dr. Davitt has propelled Glendale to the forefront of the community colleges. In 1968, Dr. Davitt introduced his unique and open management style to our community by taking the position of Administrative Dean of Personnel Services at Glendale Community College. In 1983, he was named Vice President of Instructional Services. Subsequently, in 1985 he became the college's Superintendent-President, transforming the campus into an innovative and productive center for learning. Dr. Davitt has devoted 38 years of dedicated service to the Glendale community. He is a remarkable man who is respected not only by the college's faculty, but by the student body as well. Dr. Davitt has managed to instill strong values of academics and workmanship while serving Glendale Community College, and these ideals are still gratified today. The Glendale community is indebted to Dr. Davitt for his countless achievements. I want to again congratulate John Davitt on a truly exemplary professional and public service career, and for his immense commitment to Glendale Community College and the students it serves. ____________________