[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 96 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H5846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HANNIBAL-LaGRANGE COLLEGE--140TH ANNIVERSARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Hulshof) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the anniversary of an 
institution of higher learning in my district which this year 
celebrates 140 years of service in Northeast Missouri.
  Hannibal-LaGrange College has provided quality Christian education to 
thousands of students while facing tremendous obstacles along its 
journey, a journey through which God's guiding hand has been evident.
  The college opened its doors on September 15 of 1858. First located 
30 miles to the north of its present location in LaGrange, Missouri, 
the LaGrange Male and Female Seminary was founded by the Wyaconda 
Baptist Association to instill character-building principles and 
Christian ideals in its students.
  At the helm of the vessel was William Ellis, who served as the 
college's first president. Ellis, who reached the tender age of 24 
years the day before classes began that first year, served admirably in 
his duties until Union troops took over the college's facilities in 
1862 during the War between the States.
  When the institution reopened in 1866, the new President, Dr. Joshua 
Flood Cook, certainly faced a daunting task. Building repairs were 
necessary, books and equipment were needed for the classrooms, the 
hiring of faculty was required, and community support and confidence 
had to be restored.
  Dr. Cook began remedying these problems immediately and over the next 
30 years he served as president Dr. Cook worked as a tireless servant 
moving the college forward in a manner that has reached unequaled 
levels of success.
  In late 1927, the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce began an effort to 
bring the LaGrange College to Hannibal, Missouri. The following year, 
the institution moved south and has for 70 years been carrying out its 
place in history. The college's new move was mixed with a salute to our 
Nation's history as well. In 1932, to mark the 200th anniversary of 
George Washington's birth, the daughters of the American Revolution 
secured a number of trees from Mount Vernon, Virginia, the home of our 
Nation's first president. Mr. Speaker, I was recently on campus and can 
assure you, these trees are still standing tall among the college's 
entrance drive today.
  All continued well for the college until 1973, when inflation and 
other factors put the college's future in jeopardy. When the campus was 
threatened with an imminent closing, community leaders, area residents, 
and Hannibal-LaGrange personnel reacted quickly and decisively, raising 
$85,000 to keep the college doors open. Again, faced with possible 
closure, Hannibal-LaGrange received a tremendous blessing in order to 
remain open.
  However, the most challenging obstacle was yet to come. In the summer 
of 1989, a small fire in the college's cafeteria soon engulfed the 
campus' main facilities, including the administration building, 
auditorium, and gymnasium. As the fire blazed through the night and the 
early morning hours, doubts about the college's future began to surface 
in even the heartiest of souls. By daylight only charred remains of the 
structures existed.
  Encouraged by his faith in God, then-President Dr. Paul Brown, as 
well as college personnel and supporters, began a massive effort to 
rebuild what was temporarily destroyed. As classes and assemblies were 
held that fall in tents and in trailers and dormitory basements, the 
campus began to take shape.
  In 1992, following the construction of a new sports complex, 
cafeteria and computer center, the new administration building was 
dedicated under the leadership of Dr. Brown and current President, Dr. 
Woodrow Burt. Hannibal-LaGrange has certainly become ``a crown of 
beauty instead of ashes.''
  This quote from Isaiah, chapter 61, verse 3, was placed on the 
cornerstone of the administration building, and today the college is 
continuing its vision as Dr. Burt and development officials are 
spearheading an effort to build a performance center for the 
institution's fine arts program. A new dormitory will be ready for the 
ever-increasing student population this fall which, by the way, Mr. 
Speaker, last year the student population not only came from northeast 
Missouri but New Hampshire, Texas, California and as far away as the 
West Indies and the country of Slovakia.
  In conclusion, Hannibal-LaGrange has persevered and has produced 
quality alumni. Thousands have passed through the corridors of 
Hannibal-LaGrange, each serving as a witness to the impact the college 
has had on their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Hannibal-LaGrange College on providing 
140 years of Christian education. May God continue to bless this fine 
institution for many years to come.

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