[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 92 (Wednesday, July 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 6, 2004

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the 
resolution congratulating the Pennsylvania State University on its 
150th Anniversary and reaffirming its designation as a land grant 
university.
  On February 22, 1855, Pennsylvania Governor William Pollock signed 
the charter that created what eventually became The Pennsylvania State 
University. Penn State will be celebrating its 150th anniversary from 
July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005. I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate Penn State on its achievements over the years. In 
addition, I would also like to recognize the importance of the branch 
campuses to the success of Penn State University.
  Initially a small college dedicated to the study of scientific 
agriculture, Penn State was designated the Commonwealth's sole land-
grant institution in 1863. In 1874, the Agriculture College of 
Pennsylvania became the Pennsylvania State College and in 1954 became 
the Pennsylvania State University.
  Currently, Penn State has an enrollment of 83,000 students, which 
consists of individuals at the main campus in University Park, the 20 
branch campuses, located across Pennsylvania and students at the 
College of Medicine, the Dickinson School of Law and the Pennsylvania 
College of Technology. As a result, 1 in every 8 Pennsylvanians with a 
college degree attended the Pennsylvania State University.
  In particular, I would like to take this opportunity to commend the 
branch campuses in my district for the role they play in educating Penn 
State students. There are three branch campuses located in my district: 
Penn State Hazleton, Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Penn State 
Worthington-Scranton. These branch campuses came about in the 1930's 
when students could no longer afford to travel away from home to 
college because of the Depression.
  Since then, these branch campuses have evolved, offering the four-
year bachelor degrees, associates degrees and a wide range of 
continuing education classes to students in our area. In addition, the 
branch campuses offer certificates and professional development 
credits. As a result, many businesses in my area encourage their 
employees to take classes at the branch campuses. The branch campuses, 
therefore, have not only increased the educational attainment level of 
the workforce in my district, they have also helped promote economic 
development in the region.
  Over the next year, the Pennsylvania State University will mark its 
anniversary with series of special events highlighting the achievements 
of the university. I wish them well over the next year and in the years 
to come as they continue to provide quality education to students in 
Pennsylvania.

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