[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 78 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF SAMUEL S. SCHMUCKER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 1999

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
bicentennial of the birth of Samuel S. Schmucker, who made great 
contributions to American culture, religion, and education.
  Mr. Samuel Schmucker was born 200 years ago on February 28, 1799 in 
Hagerstown, Maryland into a Lutheran parsonage family. At age ten, he 
moved with the family to York, Pennsylvania. As a young man at a time 
when there were no colleges under Lutheran auspices, Samuel Schmucker 
attended the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton Theological 
Seminary. While attending these schools, he demonstrated exceptional 
intelligence and leadership skills. After leaving school, Mr. Schmucker 
was determined to do everything within his power to improve education 
in his denomination and in his commonwealth. In 1821, at the young age 
of 22, Samuel Schmucker was ordained and he quickly began to instruct 
candidates for the ministry. He founded and served the Lutheran 
Theological Seminary by preparing hundreds of men for the Lutheran 
ministry.
  In 1832 Mr. Schmucker became the chief founder of Gettysburg College, 
one of the 50 oldest colleges in the United States today. Although the 
college was under Lutheran influence, he insisted that no student or 
faculty member be denied admission based on their religion. Samuel 
Schmucker remained an active member of the College Board of Trustees 
for more than 40 years. Throughout his life, he was an ardent supporter 
of education for women and minorities. He so adamantly opposed slavery 
and was outspoken on the subject that when confederate soldiers swept 
across the seminary campus on July 1, 1863, his home and library were 
ransacked.
  I am pleased to recognize the sponsors of this special event: 
Gettysburg College, the Lutheran Historical Society, and Lutheran 
Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and I commend them for acknowledging 
the importance of Samuel Schmucker's accomplishments.
  I am very proud of Samuel Schmucker's contribution to the educational 
system and culture of Pennsylvania. His legacy of leadership has 
benefited many generations of Americans.

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