IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 239 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 12, 2009 Mr. Childers (for himself, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Harper, and Mr. Taylor) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor RESOLUTION Honoring the 125th anniversary of Mississippi University for Women.

Whereas Sallie Eola Reneau, Olivia Valentine Hastings, and Annie Coleman Peyton provided persistent and visionary leadership during the mid-to-late 19th century that ultimately led to the establishment of the present-day Mississippi University for Women; Whereas the city of Columbus showed far-sighted and progressive leadership in offering the winning bid for the location of a college for women; Whereas the Mississippi Legislature earned national acclaim by establishing the first public college for women in the United States on March 12, 1884; Whereas from 1884 to 1920, Industrial Institute and College, as Mississippi University for Women was first known, provided a high quality collegiate education for women coupled with practical vocational training; Whereas in 1920 the Mississippi Legislature changed the name of the Industrial Institute and College to Mississippi State College for Women; Whereas Mississippi State College for Women graduates served as trailblazers in every field, including law, medicine and business, and also served as homemakers, volunteers, mentors, and citizen leaders thereby improving the lives of others; Whereas in 1974 the Mississippi Legislature again changed the name to Mississippi University for Women to better reflect the curriculum offerings of the university; Whereas Mississippi University for Women has provided, and will continue to provide for generations to come, Mississippi, the South, and the United States with strong female leaders; Whereas in 1982 Mississippi University for Women (also known as the W) began welcoming men to the university, expanding its circle of leaders; and Whereas 2009 marks the 125th anniversary of Mississippi University for Women: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives acknowledges and congratulates Mississippi University for Women for the contributions of the university and its graduates.