January 10, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E69 1960, and her Ph.D. from Michigan State Uni- IN HONOR OF RICHARD T. ceedings had been initiated. I also disagreed versity in 1967. STILLWELL with many of his policy positions. However, time has shown that the man some have Dr. Christian began her civic service as a HON. SAM FARR called the ‘‘accidental president’’ was the right teacher at Aberdeen Elementary School in person to take the highest office in the land at 1960 and held this position for 6 years before OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a critical time for our Nation. moving on to Hampton University. At Hamp- Gerald Ford’s honor and integrity were the ton, she started as an Instructor in the Edu- Wednesday, January 10, 2007 qualities we needed to restore trust and open- cation Department before becoming a Pro- Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ness to a damaged Presidency. His humble fessor, then rose to Chair the Education De- honor Richard Stillwell, who, after spending and steady leadership brought our democracy partment in 1970, followed by becoming Dean the past 56 years as a firefighter in Pacific back from the brink of a constitutional crisis. of the School of Education in 1980, and in Grove, California, has finally decided to retire The citizens of the state of Michigan and of our great Nation will not soon forget the impor- 1987 she became Professor Emeritus. Dr. at the age of 76. tant contributions of this man of integrity and Christian has been appointed to several com- Richard grew up in Pacific Grove, and upon graduating from high school he submitted his honor. mittees with the Virginia Department of Edu- application to the Pacific Grove Volunteer Fire f cation throughout her career. Department. The following year he was pro- CONGRATULATING THE UNIVER- Dr. Christian’s educational career alone is moted to a paid position as Fire Engineer. He SITY OF MICHIGAN CENTER FOR worthy of celebration. But outside of the class- worked as a paid firefighter for 11 years. In THE STUDY OF HIGHER AND room, Dr. Christian was an effective state leg- 1962, he resigned from the paid staff to pur- POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION ON islator, representing the 92nd District in the sue another career, but remained a vital mem- ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY Virginia House of Delegates from 1986–2004. ber of the Volunteer Department. Richard was She served ably on the Appropriations, Edu- promoted to Volunteer Assistant Chief in 1995, and will hold the title of Honorary Volunteer HON. JOHN D. DINGELL cation, and Rules Standing Committees, and Fire Chief upon his retirement. No other per- OF MICHIGAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES was the Co-chair of the Militia and Police son in the history of the town has achieved Committee. Dr. Christian was also selected to this honorable rank. Wednesday, January 10, 2007 be a member of various General Assembly Richard is known around town as ‘‘Mr. Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today Commissions including the Joint Commission P.G.,’’ and for good reason. He is involved in to celebrate the Center for the Study of Higher on Technology and Science, the Hampton many community organizations and sponsors and Postsecondary Education, founded 50 Roads Third Crossing Bridge Tunnel Commis- several scholarships for students at his alma years ago by Dr. Algo Henderson at the Uni- sion, and the Commission on Access and Di- mater, Pacific Grove High School. He is espe- versity of Michigan with a grant from the Car- versity. Before I came to Congress, I had the cially helpful to the young volunteer firemen negie Foundation. Located in my district, the pleasure to serve with Dr. Christian in the and finds their enthusiasm for the service University of Michigan (UM) is a national lead- General Assembly and I know her to be a keeps him young. He was recently given the er in higher education and in cutting-edge re- Department’s highest honor, the Medal of search, equipping young minds with the best skilled public servant who keeps the needs of Valor for his meritorious service. Special rec- tools to confront the world’s problems. Among her constituents paramount in her mind while ognition must be given to his wife, Bev, and the best at UM, the Center for the Study of making decisions in Richmond. their family, for supporting him throughout his Higher and Postsecondary Education is recog- Dr. Christian has received many awards and career. Over the years, there is no way to nized as an innovator and emulated by higher accolades throughout her career. She has count how many birthday parties, Thanks- education institutions across the Nation. Fac- been inducted into the Alpha Kappa Mu, giving and Christmas dinners, and nights of ulty at the Center seek to improve higher and Kappa Delta Pi, and Phi Beta Theta honor so- sleep Richard missed while serving his town. postsecondary education from the perspec- cieties. She is an Honorary Board Member of Madam Speaker, I would like to honor Rich- tives of organizational behavior and manage- ard Stillwell for the many years that he spent ment, public policy, academic affairs, student the National Patient Advocate Foundation. serving and protecting Pacific Grove. development, assessment, and evaluation. She has received both the Merit Award for f Today, the Center is headed by alumnus Dr. Community Service and the Award for Service Deborah Faye Carter and staffed by scholars to Youth from the NAACP. In 2002, Thomas MOURNING THE PASSING OF with expertise that spans a wide range of Nelson Community College named the Mary PRESIDENT GERALD RUDOLPH fields in the study. T. Christian Auditorium after her. Dr. Christian FORD The Center’s faculty members provide valu- is a member of First Baptist Church of Hamp- able leadership to both the graduate students SPEECH OF ton and its Fellowship Choir, and is also a they teach and their colleagues in the field. member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. Thanks to the contributions of the faculty, the as well as a life member of the NAACP. OF MICHIGAN Center’s research continues to facilitate major IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES initiatives in the field of higher education that Locally, Dr. Christian was founder and lead- respond to the evolving needs of our country. er of several civic and community organiza- Tuesday, January 9, 2007 Graduates of the Center continue into the tions: Groups Representing Organizations Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I rise world providing leadership as administrators United for Progress (GROUP); Leadership De- today to pay tribute to my colleague and fellow and faculty in higher education institutions, as velopment Caucus (LDC); Coalition for Com- Michigander, President Gerald R. Ford. I had policymakers in governmental and policy munity Pride and Progress (CCPP); Associa- the privilege of serving alongside then Con- agencies, as heads of professional associa- gressman Ford in the United States House of tion for Restoration of Historic Cemeteries tions, and as researchers in the field. Representatives for nearly a decade, and was Current students at the Center are actively (ARHC); and Co-Chair of the Coalition for able to observe firsthand the character and in- engaged in their academic work which is Preservation of the Virginia School for the tegrity of this ‘‘congressman’s congressman.’’ emiched by their many years of experience at Deaf, Blind and Multi-Disabled at Hampton. Congressman Ford’s exemplary service was liberal arts colleges, State and private univer- On January 14, 2007, the Hampton Roads confirmed by the support of the people of sities and community colleges working as ad- Community will come together and pay tribute Grand Rapids, Michigan, whose love for him missions directors and professionals in finan- to Dr. Christian for her many years of service. endures to this day. As minority leader of this cial aid and faculty and student affairs. Many Proceeds from this tribute event will be used body, President Ford demonstrated the have served in State and Federal Government collegiality and uprightness he would draw agencies and professional higher education to establish the Dr. Mary T. Christian Scholar- upon to lead our Nation through a dark time associations as institutional researchers, policy ship Fund at Hampton University. I would like in our history. analysts and planners. Their experiences at to congratulate Dr. Christian on her distin- I disagreed with some of President Ford’s the Center will allow them to contribute to the guished career of service to the citizens of decisions. Along with most of the American study of higher education in the same out- Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth of public at that time, I disapproved of the way standing manner as their faculty and those Virginia and wish her well in her retirement. he pardoned his predecessor before trial pro- who have graduated before them.

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