[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 12 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 12

 Recognizing and honoring the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of 
the legislation authorizing the establishment of collegiate programs at 
                         Gallaudet University.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 23, 2009

  Mr. Brown submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing and honoring the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of 
the legislation authorizing the establishment of collegiate programs at 
                         Gallaudet University.

Whereas in 2009, the United States honored the 200th anniversary of the birth of 
        President Abraham Lincoln;
Whereas on July 4, 1861, President Lincoln stated in a message to Congress that 
        a principal aim of the United States Government should be ``to elevate 
        the condition of men--to lift artificial weights from all shoulders--to 
        clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all--to afford all, an 
        unfettered start, and a fair chance, in the race of life'';
Whereas on April 8, 1864, President Lincoln signed into law the legislation (Act 
        of April 8, 1864, ch. 52, 13 Stat. 45) authorizing the conferring of 
        collegiate degrees by the Columbia Institution for Instruction of the 
        Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, which is now called Gallaudet University;
Whereas that law led for the first time in history to higher education for deaf 
        students in an environment designed to meet their communication needs;
Whereas Gallaudet University was the first, and is still the only, institution 
        in the world that focuses on educational programs for deaf and hard-of-
        hearing students from the pre-school through the doctoral level;
Whereas Gallaudet University has been a world leader in the fields of education 
        and research for more than a century; and
Whereas since 1869, graduates of Gallaudet University have pursued distinguished 
        careers of leadership in the United States and throughout the world: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) congratulates and honors Gallaudet University on the 
        145th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the 
        legislation authorizing the establishment of collegiate 
        programs at Gallaudet University; and
            (2) congratulates Gallaudet University for 145 years of 
        unique and exceptional service to the deaf people of the United 
        States and the world deaf community.
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