[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 16, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING THE 150-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MERRILL COOK

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2000

  Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to recognize the 
University of Utah on their 150th Anniversary. On February 28, 1850, 
the Utah State Assembly ordained the University of the State of 
Deseret, better known today as the University of Utah. Since its 
creation, the University of Utah has conferred over 180,000 degrees, 
making it the state's most profuse provider of higher education. In 
addition to its educational excellence, the University of Utah is also 
a leader in cultural, social, scientific, economic, medical, and 
artistic contributions. I would like to take this time to honor the 
faculty, staff, and students of the University of Utah for enriching 
the great State of Utah and the Nation.
  From its early years as the first university established west of the 
Missouri River, the University of Utah has been the meeting place for 
great ideas. Today with undergraduate and graduate enrollment nearing 
26,000, and students representing all 29 Utah counties, all 50 states 
and 102 foreign countries, I am proud to say that the University of 
Utah is indeed a diverse population. Coupled with its dynamic student 
population, is the University's excellent academic offerings. I would 
like to take the time to mention a few of the numerous programs which 
deserve recognition.
  The College of Fine Arts has the nation's first college ballet degree 
program, and Utah's only doctoral program in Music. The College of Law 
is Utah's only LL.M. degree and graduate certificate in land, 
resources, and environmental law. The School of Medicine is the only 
medical school in the Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana region. The 
College of Science is home to Utah's only Bioscience Undergraduate 
Research Program and Ph.D. in chemical physics, as well as the only 
Cooperative Education Program in mathematics with the Navajo Indian 
Reservation at Monument Valley High School. The School of Mines and 
Earth Sciences is Utah's only baccalaureate and graduate programs in 
geophysics, meteorology, and geological, metallurgical and mining 
engineering. In research, the Energy and Geoscience Institute is the 
world's leading research center in geothermal energy. The Huntsman 
Cancer Institute is forging new ways to diagnose, treat, cure and 
prevent cancer using expertise in genetics and related scientific 
fields. And finally, the University of Utah's athletes and teams, have 
won 75 national championships and 51 conference team championships 
since 1983.
  This topic I share today is very dear to me, because in 1969 I 
graduated from the University of Utah. Also, my father was the head of 
the department metallurgy. As I reflect on my alma mater, I see that 
the University of Utah is a place that shapes young minds and where 
students launch their educational endeavor. I would describe my 
academic experience as eye opening, similar to someone opening a fire 
hydrant of knowledge, and telling me it is OK to take a drink. My 
experiences extended beyond the classroom; I recall meeting with 
friends in the Union Building, studying on the lawn, or taking a walk 
along President's Circle, and of course, U of U athletic games. I am 
proud to be a part of the University's educational excellence and am 
honored to speak upon it on its 150-year anniversary.

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