[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT S. WALKER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 11, 1995

  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be able to congratulate 
Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, America's first college for 
African-Americans, which will bestow honorary doctoral degrees on the 
President and First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency 
Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings and Nana (Mrs.) Konadu Agyeman-
Rawlings.
  It is fitting that President Rawlings of Ghana--the first African 
nation to gain independence from Europe--should receive his first 
honorary degree from the United States first college for African-
Americans, a college that is named after the author of the Emancipation 
Proclamation.
  In fact, Lincoln University has longstanding ties to the Republic of 
Ghana. The first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, graduated from 
Lincoln University with a bachelor of arts degree, cum laude, in 1939 
and a bachelor of sacred theology degree in 1942.
  Dr. Nkrumah later received an honorary doctorate from Lincoln 
University, as did His Excellency Alex Quaison-Sackey, Ghana's first 
Ambassador to the United Nations. The first American Ambassador to 
Ghana was also a Lincoln graduate, His Excellency Franklin H. Williams, 
class of 1941.
  President Rawlings is a leader both in Ghana and the world community. 
Under his leadership, Ghana has enacted the difficult economic reforms 
that lead to short-term hardships but long-term prosperity. With 
consistent economic growth, Ghana now serves as a model for African and 
other nations that are moving into the developed world. In addition, 
President Rawlings is a passionate advocate for American involvement--
at the governmental and nongovernmental levels--in African affairs.
  First Lady Agyeman-Rawlings has also displayed outstanding leadership 
qualities. She is the founder and president of the 31st December 
Women's Movement, a group advocating the empowerment of Ghana's women. 
In addition, the First Lady is a recipient of the African-American 
Institute's coveted Star Crystal Award for her work with women's 
groups.
  Mr. Speaker, let me again congratulate Lincoln University on this 
important occasion. I am very proud of the accomplishments of this fine 
institution.

                          ____________________