[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                          HON. ELIZABETH FURSE

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 1996

  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Portland State 
University in recognition of its 50th anniversary. This remarkable 
urban institution, located in my district, has made important 
contributions, not only in the Portland metropolitan region, but also 
on State and national levels.
  Portland State University is Oregon's only urban university and its 
mission is unique among all the other higher education institutions in 
the State. As an urban university, Portland State seeks to enhance the 
intellectual, social, cultural, and economic qualities of urban life. 
It also works to promote the development of community-based networks 
and collaborations to address community priorities through academic and 
research programs. PSU is a national model for service learning as its 
faculty are integrally involved in community issues and concerns and 
work to include such issues in both research and teaching.
  Portland State is important to my constituents. Many residents of 
Washington and Multnomah Counties choose to attend PSU because of its 
strong academic reputation. These students select Portland State 
because they can live at home, they can work, raise a family, and go to 
school at the same time. For many reasons, Portland State is making a 
difference in the lives of its students.
  Since its inception in 1946, PSU has worked to develop a positive 
national reputation. Today, the university is playing a significant 
role in shaping national policy on urban issues. The university is 
gaining national recognition for its innovative approach to the 
undergraduate general education experience. PSU's faculty include 
nationally recognized scholars and its students win regional and 
national competitions. And, its men's and women's athletic teams often 
finish at the top of their divisions.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been involved with Portland State University for 
many years. I have attended classes at the university. Students from 
the institution have been interns and employees in my office. I have 
also worked with the faculty and administration on many partnership 
programs that are important to my constituents and the residents of 
Oregon.
  One that I am especially proud of is the work Portland State 
University is doing with Clatsop Community College and the Oregon 
Graduate Institute in Astoria, OR. Led by the community college, these 
three institutions are working with the community to develop the Marine 
Environmental Reseach and Training Station, [MERTS]. MERTS will be 
unique in the Nation. It will combine the assets of two major research 
institutions with a community college to deliver a continuum of job 
training and education programs focused on environmental technology. 
This is just one example of the ways in which Portland State University 
fulfills its mission.
  I am also very pleased that Portland State University has embraced 
the principles of administrative reform and efficiency. One of this 
administration's priorities is to ``reinvent government'' and change 
the way we do business. Well, Mr. Speaker, Portland State University is 
a national success story. Under the leadership of President Judith 
Ramaley, the University has undertaken a major reorganization of its 
management operation. As a result, Portland State University has 
continued to maintain high quality academic programs at a time of 
diminishing state resources. The University was recognized for its 
efforts by KPMG Peat Marwick as a ``national model'' for efficient 
management.
  On the august occasion of its golden anniversary, I would like to 
recognize the contributions Portland State University's faculty staff, 
and students have made in improving Oregon and the Nation. As the 
University works towards its 100th anniversary we can expect the same 
commitment to community and innovative excellence that has 
characterized its work since 1946.

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