[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 45 (Friday, April 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E668]]
               RECOGNIZING HOPKINSVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2005

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
Hopkinsville Community College.
  Learning does not end at high school and whether you are 22 or 92, 
learning is lifelong. Today, I want to bring to the attention of this 
House that Hopkinsville Community College in western Kentucky proudly 
celebrates 40 years of higher education to the citizens of Christian 
County and surrounding communities in the First Congressional District.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to make it easier for Americans to receive 
necessary training, to earn a degree, or to take specialized courses 
that meet the demands of today's job market and help our fellow 
citizens achieve their full potential. Community colleges like 
Hopkinsville Community College are an essential part of that effort.
  Hopkinsville Community College bridges the gap between people's lives 
as they are and their lives as they want them to be. Flexibility and 
courses tailored to individual goals are characteristic of this 
exceptional community college.
  Hopkinsville Community College has been a significant contributor to 
the economic growth and vitality of Hopkinsville and Christian County. 
The state of the art training and technology center tailors course work 
to meet the demands of high tech industry and specialized training.
  Hopkinsville Community College also offers tremendous outreach to 
first generation college students through its Upward Bound/Trio 
Programs highlighting the flexibility and opportunity that community 
colleges provide to both traditional and nontraditional students.
  Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to see that President Bush has proposed in 
his 2006 budget providing $125 million to promote dual-enrollment 
programs, so that high school students can take college level courses 
and receive both high school and post-secondary credit. This new 
initiative would provide incentives to states so that high school 
students, particularly low-income and minority high school students, 
have a greater chance to receive a college education.
  Hopkinsville Community College has also partnered with Murray State 
University to open a campus in Hopkinsville that offers transferable 
college coursework that will count towards a four year degree. All of 
these efforts provide convenience, affordability, and flexibility to 
more of our citizens.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, our community, our state and our Nation 
are better because of the educational opportunities offered by our 
community colleges. Hopkinsville Community College is proudly 
celebrating Forty Years of higher education service and it is my honor 
to bring their accomplishments before this House.

                          ____________________