Cerritos College News Release

From left: Jim Ryan, Grace Napolitano, Bob Arthur, Timothy Perzanowski, Daniel Chao, Bill Farmer NORWALK, Calif. – February 24, 2009 – Congresswoman Grace Napolitano visited the Cerritos College Automotive Technology programs Friday. Her interest was to see the college’s plans for an alternative fuels technology training center in the new Cerritos Center for Transportation Technologies (CCTT).

Napolitano was joined by two featured “green” guests – a BMW Hydrogen 7 Series sedan and a Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell SUV. The representatives from both manufacturers presented the concepts and technologies of their vehicles. Napolitano took each car for a test drive.

Steve Berklite, Dean of the Technology Division at the college gave Napolitano an overview of the college’s Automotive Technology programs, its corporate partnership programs and the alternative fuels technology training plans. Staff from the Congresswoman’s Washington, D.C., and district offices joined her in the facilities tour.

Napolitano was very impressed by the region’s premier automotive training program the college offers. She also acknowledged the college’s successful efforts in partnering with industry to educate skilled technicians. “It is crucial to meet workforce needs,” said Napolitano. “And that’s exactly what they do here at Cerritos College.”

“We are delighted that Congresswoman Napolitano visited Cerritos College to learn more about our Automotive Technology training programs, which is one of the most comprehensive programs in the country,” said Bill Farmer, Acting President/Superintendent. “Being a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congresswoman Napolitano understands the need for quality training facilities to prepare tomorrow’s transportation industry workforce.”

After that, Napolitano visited Vintage Cerritos, the assisted living community located on the campus. The facility is home to senior residents and is operated as a partnership between the City of Cerritos, Cerritos College and Vintage.

First elected to Congress in November, 1998, Napolitano is currently serving her sixth term representing California's 38th District. Her Los Angeles County-based district covers several cities in the Southeast and San Gabriel Valley areas including Norwalk, Pomona, Santa Fe Springs, La Puente, the City of Industry, Montebello, and Pico Rivera, plus the unincorporated communities of Avocado Heights, Hacienda Heights, West Puente Valley, and parts of Whittier, East Los Angeles, Rowland Heights, South San Gabriel, and Valinda.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 24,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Cerritos College

Releases 2009