[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 12 (Monday, January 22, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H800-H801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1430
                CONGRATULATING ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 57) congratulating Illinois State 
University as it celebrates its sesquicentennial.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H. Res. 57

       Whereas Illinois State University marks its 
     sesquicentennial with a year-long celebration, beginning with 
     Founder's Day on February 15, 2007;
       Whereas Illinois State Normal University was founded by 
     Jesse W. Fell in 1857 as Illinois' first public university 
     and was established as a teacher education institution;
       Whereas Abraham Lincoln, then an attorney, drafted the bond 
     that guaranteed that the citizens of Bloomington, Illinois, 
     would fulfill pledges to finance the University;
       Whereas more than 2,000 staff members provide outstanding 
     support to the educational mission of Illinois State 
     University; and
       Whereas Illinois State University has more than 165,000 
     alumni living around the world: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     Illinois State University as it celebrates its 
     sesquicentennial.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. 
Biggert) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days 
during which Members may insert material relevant to House Resolution 
57 into the Record and to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of House Resolution 57, a 
resolution congratulating Illinois State University on 150 years of 
educating students.
  Illinois State Normal University was founded in 1857 as Illinois' 
first public university and opened with an enrollment of just 43 
students. The university's very beginnings were touched by history. 
Four years prior to his election as President, Abraham Lincoln himself 
drafted the original bond guaranteeing that the citizens of 
Bloomington, Illinois, would finance Illinois State.
  Originally established as a teachers' college, Illinois State 
University now offers undergraduate degrees in more than 160 fields of 
study and 39 graduate programs.
  In 2005, the university enrolled more than 20,000 students, and 83 
percent of its new freshmen students were in the top half of their high 
school graduating class.
  Public colleges, as we know, provide a great service by offering 
affordable options of higher education and encouraging access for 
minority and low-income students. This role is increasingly important 
as the cost of attending college continues to increase.
  Illinois State University has embodied this spirit of access to 
higher education in public service. It is not more clear than in its 
mission statement. And that mission statement reads: ``We devote all of 
our resources and energy to creating the most supportive and productive 
community possible to serve the citizens of Illinois and beyond.''
  Illinois State University has graduated many notable alumni who have 
given back to the university, the State of Illinois, and this country 
in so many ways. There are an estimated 155,000 Illinois State 
University alumni living around the world, and many of these students 
have gone on to great accomplishments, including Thomas Edison's State 
College president George Pruitt; two-time Academy Award nominee John 
Malkovich; and former U.N. Ambassador for the U.S., Donald McHenry.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Illinois State University on 150 years of 
service to their students and alumni, the State of Illinois, and the 
Nation.
  I urge my colleagues to resoundingly pass this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 57, a resolution 
congratulating Illinois State, as it celebrates on February 15 its 
150th anniversary of its founding. I would like to thank my good 
friend, Mr. Weller of Illinois, for introducing this resolution and 
recognizing the important role Illinois State University plays in 
educating the citizens of Illinois and many other States in the Nation.
  With more than 20,000 students, Illinois State University is a large-
scale university with a small-college feel. Of the 20,000 students, 
there are 3,000 students enrolled in graduate degree programs. In 
addition to a number of graduate certificates, Illinois State offers 63 
undergraduate programs and over 47 master's degrees, specialist and 
doctoral degree programs.
  Illinois State University has been ranked as one of the 100 best 
values in public education by Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. 
ISU actually jumped four spots, from 83 to 79, in Kiplinger's newest 
edition and was only one of two State schools to make the list.
  Sixty-six percent of Illinois State University students receive 
financial aid, and the school has a low default rate of 2 percent, well 
under the national default rate of 4.5 percent.
  Illinois State also recognizes the importance of educating students 
to become good teachers. Founded by Jesse Fell in 1847, Illinois State 
was the first public university in Illinois and was quickly established 
as a teachers' education institution.
  Now, 150 years later, the university is the second largest producer 
of teacher education degrees in the country. In fact one in seven 
Illinois teachers holds a degree from Illinois State. Mr. Speaker, 
Illinois State University is a remarkable institution, and I would like 
to congratulate all of those students, the alumni and past and present 
employees on all that they have accomplished over the past 150 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution 
honoring Illinois State University on its 150th anniversary. I thank 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller) for sponsoring this 
resolution.
  I want to add my voice as a Representative who has many hundreds of 
students and alumni from Illinois State University. I want to 
congratulate all of those associated with the university through those 
150 years.
  With all of the years of success that they have had, it is a great 
value, a great part of our public university system in the State of 
Illinois. As a former college professor, I understand the importance of 
an education. I know how difficult it is today, especially, to pay for 
education. Schools like Illinois State give the opportunity for 
students in Illinois to get a great education at a great value and 
allow them to pursue so many things as they move forward.
  So today I just want to congratulate the students, the alumni, the 
teachers, the administrators, everyone at Illinois State University on 
their 150th anniversary.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller), the author of this resolution.
  Mr. WELLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 57, a resolution honoring and congratulating Illinois State 
University on its upcoming 150th-year anniversary. I introduced this 
resolution with my good friend and colleague, Congressman Tim Johnson, 
with the support of the Illinois delegation.
  I am proud to note that the Illinois State University campus is 
located in the 11th Congressional District which I have the privilege 
of representing.
  On February 15, Illinois State University will start a year-long 
celebration marking the day that the founder, Jesse W. Fell, took up 
the campaign of creating the first public institution of

[[Page H801]]

higher education in Illinois and having it housed in the Bloomington-
Normal area.
  In February of 1857, then-Governor William Bissell signed a bill, 
legislation creating Normal University, and established the board of 
education for the State of Illinois as its governing body. After Jesse 
Fell secured financial backing totaling $141,000, future President 
Abraham Lincoln, then acting as attorney for the board, drew up the 
bond guaranteeing that Bloomington's citizens would fulfill their 
financial commitments.
  Established originally as a teacher education institution, then known 
as Illinois State Normal University, it has developed into a 
multipurpose university, recognized around the world with degree 
programs in the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels.
  Currently, approximately 20,000 undergraduates and post-graduate 
students attend the university, supported by an outstanding university 
staff of 3,200 employees.
  I would also note that ISU today benefits from the support of over 
65,000 alumni living and working around the world.
  My colleagues today have shared much about Illinois State University, 
but here is a few little-known facts. The model for student teaching 
that today is used nationwide was invented by Illinois State Normal 
University teacher Cecilla Lauby, who today is 94 years old and still 
lives in the town of Normal.
  One of every eight teachers in Illinois graduated from Illinois State 
University. Illinois State University's insurance program is so popular 
and respected that Lloyd's of London sends it executives each year for 
management training. And as others have noted, Illinois State 
University has made the Kiplinger list for the 100 top universities in 
public education three straight times.
  Illinois State's physic's program is ranked as one of the top in the 
country. Illinois State's first president, Charles Hovey, recruited a 
regimen of teachers to fight in the Civil War.
  Illinois State is also the home of the Gamma Phi Circus, the oldest 
collegiate circus in the United States, which was founded in 1929. That 
circus today is one of two collegiate circuses in the United States.
  Finally, I would note that Watterson Towers dormitory on Illinois 
State University, is considered one of the tallest college dormitories 
in the world and is the tallest structure between the cities of Chicago 
and the City of St. Louis.
  Illinois State University has been a model for higher education 
institutions around this country over the last 150 years. I would like 
to note a very good friend of mine, Illinois State University's current 
president, Dr. Al Bowman, and congratulate him, his great staff and all 
of those affiliated with Illinois State University as they mark this 
great achievement.
  Illinois State University has been a model for higher education 
institutions around this Nation for the last 150 years. I wish them all 
the best in their year-long celebration. I also want to thank the 
chairman of the committee, Chairman Miller, and Ranking Member McKeon 
for allowing this bill to make it to the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in wishing 
Illinois State University congratulations as it marks its 150th 
anniversary.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers and would close 
with just urging all my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues from the 
great State of Illinois representing this resolution, celebrating 150 
years of Illinois State University, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 57.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those voting have responded in the affirmative.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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