The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“HONORING ALECIA A. DeCOUDREAUX” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E391 on April 11, 2016.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING ALECIA A. DeCOUDREAUX
______
HON. BARBARA LEE
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, April 11, 2016
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career of Mrs. Alecia A. DeCoudreaux. Mrs. DeCoudreaux serves as the President of Mills College, my Alma Mater, and will be stepping down to conclude a successful tenure in academia.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. DeCoudreaux began her academic career as a student of English and Political Science at Wellesley College in 1976. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree, Mrs. DeCoudreaux continued her education and received a Doctor of Laws degree from the Indiana University School of Law in 1978.
While at Mills, Mrs. DeCoudreaux furthered inclusion by instituting the first women's college policy for admitting transgender students. This policy has become a model for women's colleges across the nation. She also expanded Mills' global focus and reach by participating in the U.S. Department of State's Women in Public Service Project (WPSP), hosting 25 women delegates from 22 countries in a 10-day conference focusing on women solving the climate crisis.
Mrs. DeCoudreaux led the campus community and collaborated with the school's board of trustees to find solutions to tough economic circumstances. Many educational programs have suffered similar downturns, and Mrs. DeCoudreaux's commitment to higher education succeeded in sustaining Mills College.
In January 2016, Mrs. DeCoudreaux joined 11 other Northern California colleges and universities in signing the Oakland Promise College Pathway Partnership, which offers financial aid and mentoring support to Oakland high school graduates. These graduates learned the skills necessary to continue a path in academics and further their careers.
Her many accolades portray Mrs. DeCoudreaux as a tireless advocate for access to education, including the Award for Education from the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; the ABC 7 News Profiles of Excellence Award; the Madam C.J. Walker Pioneer Award; and recognition as a Leadership California Trailblazer. She was selected as one of San Francisco Business Times' Most Influential Women in Business, and she was included in Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine's 30 Women Making a Difference feature.
On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional District, Mrs. Alecia A. DeCoudreaux, I salute you. I thank you for your outstanding leadership in higher education and wish you continued success as you transition to this exciting new chapter of life.
____________________
