[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 338 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 338

  Congratulating Towson University on the 150\th\ anniversary of the 
                      founding of the university.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 18, 2015

   Mr. Cardin (for himself and Ms. Mikulski) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Congratulating Towson University on the 150\th\ anniversary of the 
                      founding of the university.

Whereas, on January 15, 2016, Towson University, located in Towson, Maryland, 
        celebrates the founding of the university on January 15, 1866;
Whereas Article VIII, section 1 of the Constitution of Maryland, adopted in 
        convention in 1864, called for a uniform system of free public schools 
        for the State of Maryland;
Whereas, in 1865, the General Assembly of Maryland (referred to in this preamble 
        as the ``General Assembly'') created the State Normal School, which 
        would become Towson University;
Whereas, on January 15, 1866, the State Normal School opened in the Red Men's 
        Hall, located at 24 North Paca Street, in Baltimore, Maryland;
Whereas, in 1875, a law was enacted to authorize construction of a new building 
        for the State Normal School, known as the Carrollton Building;
Whereas the Carrollton Building was erected in West Baltimore at the corner of 
        Lafayette Avenue and Carrollton Avenue;
Whereas the State Normal School remained in the Carrollton Building for almost 
        40 years;
Whereas, on June 10\\, 1910, the General Assembly enacted a law to create the 
        Maryland State Normal School Building Commission, which was responsible 
        for--

    (1) selecting a new site for the State Normal School; and

    (2) preparing plans and estimates for the construction of new 
buildings;

Whereas, in April of 1912, the General Assembly enacted a law to authorize a 
        $600,000 bond for the purchase of a new site for the State Normal 
        School;
Whereas, in August of 1912, the Maryland State Normal School Building Commission 
        selected the new site for the State Normal School in Towson, Maryland, 
        where Towson University is located as of the date of adoption of this 
        resolution;
Whereas the new campus of the State Normal School was constructed on 88 acres of 
        farmland and included 3 buildings, which were known as--

    (1) the Administration Building (known on the date of adoption of this 
resolution as ``Stephens Hall'');

    (2) Newell Hall; and

    (3) the Power Plant;

Whereas, on September 15, 1915, the doors of the State Normal School were opened 
        for more than 300 students at its new location in Towson, Maryland;
Whereas, in June of 1935, the name of the State Normal School was changed to the 
        State Teachers College at Towson (referred to in this preamble as the 
        ``State Teachers College'');
Whereas the name of the State Normal School was changed to the State Teachers 
        College because, in 1935, the General Assembly enacted a law to require 
        teachers to earn a 4-year baccalaureate degree, rather than requiring 
        teachers to earn a 2-year certificate;
Whereas, in 1936, the State Teachers College met standards of accreditation set 
        forth by--

    (1) the American Association of Teachers Colleges; and

    (2) the American Council on Education;

Whereas the Governor of Maryland, Theodore McKeldin, submitted a capital 
        improvement budget of $1,172,500 for the State Teachers College--

    (1) to construct buildings; and

    (2) to acquire 40 acres;

Whereas, in 1963, the State of Maryland--

    (1) made the State Teachers College a liberal arts college; and

    (2) changed the name of the State Teachers College to Towson State 
College;

Whereas, from 1960 through 1970, Towson State College carried out a construction 
        program funded by more than $35,000,000 in Federal and State funds, 
        which necessitated the purchase of land and construction of new 
        buildings;
Whereas, on July 1, 1976, the name of Towson State College was changed to Towson 
        State University;
Whereas, in 1988, higher education in Maryland was restructured to consolidate 
        the State College and University System, of which Towson State 
        University was a part, within the University System of Maryland;
Whereas, in 1996, U.S. News & World Report ranked Towson State University in 
        categories for institutions in the North--

    (1) second in the ``Most Efficient Schools'' category; and

    (2) fourth in the ``Best Sticker Price'' category;

Whereas, in 1997, after years of discussion and debate, the name of Towson State 
        University changed to Towson University, which was considered a step 
        that would--

    (1) elevate Towson University in the minds of individuals; and

    (2) allow Towson University to develop an identity while remaining in 
the University System of Maryland;

Whereas, in 1998, U.S. News & World Report ranked Towson University among the 
        top 10 public institutions in the North;
Whereas, between January 1, 2000, and the date of adoption of this resolution, 
        14 new structures were constructed on the campus of Towson University;
Whereas, in 2001, Towson University joined the Colonial Athletic Association, 
        which is a collegiate conference affiliated with the National Collegiate 
        Athletic Association (commonly known as the ``NCAA'');
Whereas Towson University has 19 Division I athletic teams;
Whereas, in 2003, the name of Minnegan Stadium at Towson University was changed 
        to Johnny Unitas Stadium in honor of former Baltimore Colts quarterback, 
        Johnny Unitas;
Whereas, in 2013, Towson University in Northeastern Maryland opened, which 
        allows a student of Harford Community College or Cecil College to 
        complete a 4-year degree in any of 6 programs;
Whereas the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security 
        designated Towson University as a National Center of Academic Excellence 
        in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense;
Whereas the College of Education at Towson University is the oldest, largest, 
        and preeminent producer of teachers in the State of Maryland;
Whereas an economic impact study entitled ``Towson University's Economic 
        Impact'', published in 2015, found that Towson University had a 
        $139,400,000,000 total economic impact on the economy of the State of 
        Maryland between 1866 and 2014;
Whereas Towson University evolved from the State Normal School with 11 students 
        to 1 of the largest universities in Maryland, comprised of 6 distinct 
        colleges with a total enrollment of more than 22,000 students; and
Whereas the sustained commitment of Towson University to teacher education and 
        workforce development has made Towson University--

    (1) a driving force for the economy of Maryland; and

    (2) a positive influence on the lives of graduates of Towson University 
and students of graduates of Towson University: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) congratulates Towson University on the 150\th\ 
        anniversary of the founding of the university;
            (2) recognizes the achievements of the administrators, 
        professors, students, and staff of Towson University, who have 
        contributed to the success of Towson University; and
            (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
        transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
                    (A) the president of Towson University; and
                    (B) the interim provost and vice president for 
                academic affairs of Towson University.
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