[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 131 (Monday, October 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2099-E2100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY--100 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 17, 2005

  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, out on the hot, windy, arid plains of West 
Texas, where the prairie dog and the coyote make their home, amidst the 
tumble weeds, is a school that is the oasis of private Christian 
education and excellence. Celebrating its 100th year, Abilene Christian 
University, with its over 4000 students and 200 faculty members, has 
progressed dramatically since its beginning in 1906 as Childress 
Classical Institute.
  Mr. J.W. Childress sold A.B. Barret some land outside Abilene, Texas 
to start a Christian school. The Church of Christ in Abilene backed the 
project. Then in 1912, when Jesse P. Sewell became President, the 
school started using the name Abilene Christian College, or commonly 
referred to as Abilene Christian.
  The school moved its campus in 1929 after receiving money from the 
city of Abilene and land donated by the people of the city. The new 
campus permanently moved to the Northeast portion of town, fondly 
referred to as the Hill. ACC eventually became Abilene Christian 
University in 1976.
  The school has students from all 50 states and 60 foreign countries. 
ACU is proud to be a liberal arts institution and has excellent 
programs in Business, Bible and Education. Numerous students go on to 
receive graduate degrees at ACU and other universities. All four of my 
kids, Kim, Kara, Kurt, and Kellee Lyn attended ACU.
  The school has had tremendous athletic programs and its track program 
has won National Championships for over 60 years. The purple and white 
Wildcats are now in NCAA Division II and compete in all major sports.
  Having been a student at ACU, the school--affiliated with the 
Churches of Christ--is a unique experience. The people who are at the 
University, not just the students, but the teachers and administration 
are a unique type of people.
  Garvin Beauchamp, former head football coach, and then Dean of 
students, did much for me personally to make me see the importance of 
making good choices in life--He, like other faculty and staff, 
routinely has students in his home for informal gatherings, Bar-B-Que, 
and pizza. Students are taught by professors with very few teaching 
assistants.
  I remember several Political Science classes I took from Dr. Gary 
Thompson that had 10 students learning politics.
  My senior year at ACU, I was president of Galaxy Social Club--similar 
to Fraternities at other schools. We had an annual big event, a formal 
banquet, for our club. I drove an old 1962 Chevy Nova SS, more like a 
hot rod instead of a dating vehicle. And I wanted to borrow a nicer car 
to impress my date. Being the President of the club, I also needed a 
vehicle to make a statement at the party. So I went to the office of 
the President of the University and met with President Don Morris. I 
candidly told him my dilemma.
  Then, I asked him if I could borrow his car because his well 
recognized Lincoln with license plates ACC-1 was the best car in town.

[[Page E2100]]

  So I asked Dr. Morris if we could trade cars on that particular 
Saturday night of the banquet. Well, he did not say ``If I lend you my 
car, I'll have to do it for everybody.'' He didn't mention liability 
issues. He just said ``come over, leave me your car'' and asked me to 
return his car after the date.
  So I borrowed the President's car, impressed my date, made my fellow 
club members envious and had a grand time cruising Abilene, Texas in 
the President's Lincoln town car. I even drove by the ever popular Mack 
Eplan's Drive In to show off.
  When I returned Dr. Morris's car that evening, he was waiting for me 
at his kitchen table. He was reading the Bible and probably praying to 
the Almighty for the safety of his car. We exchanged car keys and that 
was that.
  But Dr. Morris, like many at Abilene Christian displayed an example 
of the unique character of the university.
  Now the 11th President, Royce Money is continuing to lead the school 
with a determination to follow the mission of the school: ``To educate 
students for Christian Service and leadership throughout the world.''
  So congratulations to Abilene Christian University in celebrating its 
100th year. And thanks for influencing and educating so many students 
to be a remarkable difference in our nation. The world is a better 
place because of that Texas school out on the plains of West Texas.

                          ____________________