[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 92 (Wednesday, July 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING PENN STATE'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY

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                            HON. TOM FEENEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 6, 2004

  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, in 1854, a young and dynamic America 
witnessed several historic events. The Republican Party was organized. 
Commodore Matthew Perry signed a treaty opening Japan to American 
trade. And Penn State University was founded.
  Penn State was at the forefront of the uniquely American practice of 
widespread higher educational opportunity. In 1863, Penn State became 
one of the first two land grant educational institutions. Penn State 
now includes over 20 campuses with 83,000 students.
  Penn State is nationally known for its athletic triumphs. More 
importantly, it has affirmed the value of the scholar-athlete. Penn 
State graduates its athletes at rates substantially higher than fellow 
Division I schools. It's no accident that Penn State's library is named 
for its beloved Joe Paterno while its sports arena is named for a 
former Penn State president.
  Penn State consistently demonstrates its prowess in the sciences and 
engineering. My district's Kennedy Space Center has launched four Penn 
State alums into space including Guion Bluford, the first African 
American to fly into space. Penn State ranked ninth in university 
patent recipients in 2002. Several Penn State graduate schools rank in 
U.S. News & World Report's top ten.
  But alumni are the real interpreters of Penn State. 466,000 serve as 
teachers, farmers, physicians, lawyers, artists, scientists, engineers, 
and yes even Congressmen and women.
  So this Penn State alum sends his congratulations to Penn State for 
its sesquicentennial.

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