[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2877-S2878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO LINCOLN UNIVERSITY

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I stand before you today to pay 
tribute to a truly outstanding University in my home State of Missouri, 
Lincoln University. Lincoln has played a large role in African American 
education in my home State of Missouri, as well as across the nation.
  Lincoln was founded in 1866 by the Caucasian officers and the African 
American enlisted men of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored 
Infantries who fought for the Union during the Civil War. These men 
wanted to establish a school that would devote itself to educating 
freed African Americans. By soliciting funds and donating their own 
salaries, they raised $6,000 within a few days. With these funds, the 
soldiers were able to open the doors of Lincoln Institute on September 
17, 1866. In 1869, Lincoln began to receive $5,000 in aid from the 
State of Missouri for teacher training. By 1940, Lincoln Institute had 
become Lincoln University and had evolved from a teacher training 
school to a full University offering Graduate instruction. In each of 
the decades Lincoln has continually added programs, expanded its 
facilities and opened its

[[Page S2878]]

doors to all applicants that meet its entrance criteria.
  This past year the University has come under the new leadership of 
Dr. David Henson. Dr. Henson became the seventeenth President of 
Lincoln on July 2, 1997. I am excited about continuing my close 
relationship with this outstanding University by working with Dr. 
Henson. He has held many leadership positions during his 25 years of 
higher education and I know he will continue to strengthen the 
University's already impeccable reputation.
  It is an honor for the entire State of Missouri to have a University 
like Lincoln, whose service and character-building programs, along with 
the new guidance of Dr. Henson, will continue down the road of success. 
I commend Lincoln's President, Dr. David Henson, for his commitment to 
excellence and hope for continued prosperity in the future.

                          ____________________