[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 98 (Thursday, July 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    150TH ANNIVERSARY OF PENN STATE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TODD RUSSELL PLATTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 2004

  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize a great institution of higher learning, the Pennsylvania 
State University, as a leader in post-secondary education. On July 1, 
2004, Penn State began a year-long celebration of its 150th 
Anniversary, marking the historic achievements it has made in 
Pennsylvania, the Nation, and around the world.
  Penn State, known at its inception in 1855 as ``the Farmers'' High 
School,'' was born at the behest of the State's Agriculture Society. 
The Society members recognized the need to base the growing field of 
agriculture in sound sciences. College President Evan Pugh rose to the 
challenge, uniquely combining classical studies with practical 
application. Pugh's vision soon became the foundation of the 
institution's mission: to provide ``instruction, research, outreach and 
extension''.
  As student and business interest grew over the following decades, 
Penn State grew along with it. Recognizing the limitations the 
Depression placed on households in the 1930's, Penn State began opening 
satellite campuses throughout the state. Penn State began renting 
classroom space in York, Pennsylvania, which is in my Congressional 
District, as early as 1926.
  In 1955, the Penn State York campus officially opened and began 
offering courses to students at its current location. The campus was 
much-admired for having one of the highest concentrations of students 
enrolled in technical courses and studying the field of engineering on 
a satellite campus. As a student who studied engineering at the Penn 
State York Campus, I can attest to the high quality education provided 
to Penn State students. Continuing its mission for outreach and 
extension, Penn State merged with the Dickinson School of Law in 1997, 
also located in my Congressional District in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
  There can be no doubt that Penn State has played a strong and vitally 
important role in the education of students around the world. With 
three members of my staff, both past and present, as Penn State alumni, 
I can attest to the quality education Penn State provides. Even as the 
proud son of a University of Pittsburgh graduate, a known ``rival'' of 
Penn State, I wish to congratulate the Pennsylvania State University on 
its successful 150 years, and extend best wishes for continued 
successes in the years to come.




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