[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 139 (Thursday, September 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     RAHALL SALUTES BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 
                            CENTENNIAL YEAR

                                 ______


                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 1994

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Bluefield State College of West Virginia, located in my third 
congressional district, on the occasion of the centennial year of its 
founding in 1895. I am very proud of Bluefield State's designation as 
an historically black college, and I honor it for its original mission, 
to educate talented African-American students in the coal fields, as 
well as the mission it now has to serve all students in an 
everexpanding range of educational and cultural learning experiences.
  For an entire century, Bluefield State College has been committed to 
providing quality education in southern West Virginia. The history of 
the college is the heroic story of remarkable achievement in the face 
of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, establishing a legacy that 
provides an inspiration and challenge to those who follow.
  Bluefield State College was created to provide better educational 
opportunities and services for African-Americans in the region. To 
serve the racially segregated public schools in turn-of-the-century 
coal camps, progressive citizens established Bluefield Colored 
Institute. BCI's first president, Hamilton Hatter, overcame enormous 
challenges and ran the institution with no legislative appropriations 
for 2 years.
  Later, Bluefield State College adopted formal teacher training, as 
the college distinguished itself in the preparation of educators to 
carry traditions of excellence throughout the coal fields.
  The college expanded, and in the 1920's and 1930's was involved in 
the explosion of black American culture known as the Harlem 
Renaissance.
  In 1954, Bluefield State College observed another landmark, as white 
students seeking high-quality, low-cost, fully accredited higher 
education began to join the black students attending classes at BSC.
  Curricular changes led to the creation of new academic areas such as 
engineering technology and computer science, business administration, 
and health sciences.
  Mr. Speaker, as Bluefield State College celebrates its centennial, 
its president, Dr. Robert Moore, the dedicated faculty, and staff, 
merit high praise for their very significant accomplishments and for 
their vision and creative spirit in providing ever-expanding 
educational opportunities.
  Bluefield State stands proud of its strong past, and exceptional 
willingness to meet the changing needs of the region it serves in what 
promises to be a dynamic future.

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