Jim Costa: “Finally, on an upbeat note, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of California at Merced in my district…”

“Finally, on an upbeat note, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of California at Merced in my district being named one of the country's universities of the year by Education Dive, which honors education's top innovators. One of the newest research universities in the entire country, it is a testament to UC Merced's forward-thinking approach, which has been integral in increasing opportunity to improve the quality of education for California's San Joaquin Valley and the entire system of the University of California. UC Merced prides itself in having the largest share of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students among all the University of California's campuses. It is the first minority-majority campus in California, with over 8,000 students. It has been a pleasure to watch the university grow over the last 13 years and an honor to meet its educators, students, and alumni who make up a tight, close-knit community. Go Bobcats. ____________________”