• Campuses
• Contact Us
• Get Help

• College News
  • College News 2008 (January-June)
  • College News 2007
• Upcoming Events

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Address Students at Miami Dade College's North Campus Graduation on May 3

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Miami, Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - More than 2,000 Miami Dade College (MDC) graduates will hear from U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi when she delivers the keynote address at the North Campus commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3, at 9:30 a.m., at the James L. Knight Center in downtown Miami. Her participation in an MDC commencement ceremony continues the college's longstanding tradition of hosting world leaders, renowned speakers and top thinkers at graduation.


Speaker Pelosi made history in January 2007 when she became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. She is also the highest ranking elected woman in American history, serving in the most powerful legislative position in the nation, second in the line of presidential succession. She has represented California's Eighth District since 1987.

During her tenure as Speaker, Pelosi has been an avid champion for increasing educational opportunities and access. Last year, she supported the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, regarded as the largest single investment in college financial aid since the GI Bill of 1944. The act is expected to help millions of students and their families pay for college by boosting funding for Federal Pell Grants over the next five years. Speaker Pelosi also led the charge to pass historic energy legislation that puts America on the path to energy  independence and combats global warming, the first increase in the minimum wage in 10 years, and historic ethics and lobbying reforms.

Among her many important accomplishments, Speaker Pelosi helped create the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS program and was instrumental in passing legislation to assist non-profit organizations in the creation of affordable housing. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Pelosi won increased funding for breast cancer research and doubled the budget for the National Institutes of Health. Throughout her career, Speaker Pelosi has led bipartisan efforts for international human rights in all parts of the world, including China, Central America, Darfur, and Tibet.

Miami Dade College is the nation's largest institution of higher education with an enrollment of more than 165,000 students. In fact, 1.5 million people have attended the college since it opened its doors in 1960. The college's eight campuses and outreach centers offer more than 200 distinct degree programs including several baccalaureate degrees in education, public safety management and nursing. MDC is also renowned for its rich cultural program. It is home of the Miami Book Fair International, Miami International Film Festival, the Cultura del Lobo performing arts series, the Miami International Sculpture Park and a large art gallery and theater system. Nearly 9,000 students will graduate from MDC on May 3 at seven commencement ceremonies representing eight campuses.