[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 26 (Monday, February 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            LAMAR UNIVERSITY

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 12, 2007

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, today I take pride in sharing with you a 
grand and historic milestone for the State of Texas, specifically the 
Second Congressional District. Today, Madam Speaker, Lamar University's 
Mary and John Gray Library commemorates its fiftieth year as a federal 
depository. Lamar University, as well as I take great pleasure in 
celebrating and honoring the Mary and John Gray Library's steadfast 
dedication to providing and safeguarding the citizens' of Texas right 
to know.
  The Federal Library Depository Program was created over one hundred 
and forty years ago with the sole purpose of keeping America informed 
by treasuring, producing, and distributing the Federal government 
information. The Mary and John Gray Library carries on this very valid 
and noble duty by being the only Federal depository within the region. 
The library plays a vital link between the government and Texas 
citizens. With its dedicated staff readily available to help students 
and Southeast Texans obtain governmental information, the Mary and John 
Gray Library collects, maintains, and preserves over sixty-four percent 
of the documents made available by the Federal government.
  Ground was broken for the library in 1973. The eight story structure 
was constructed to be a visible monument for Lamar University. With the 
two main goals of expressing deserved appreciation for past services 
and that the name be inspirational for the future greatness of Lamar 
University, the library was officially dedicated in honor of Mary and 
John Gray on April 26, 1976. To this day it continues to be a fount of 
scholarly information.
  The library teaches information gathering skills to promote and 
foster academic success, along with adding essential information for 
those wishing to continue their educational learning. By developing 
appropriate learning collections, it is able to provide efficient 
services within a friendly, relaxed, and educational environment. It 
continues to provide leadership for campus information policy.
  Madam Speaker, I join the citizens of the Second Congressional 
District in extolling Lamar University and the Mary and John Gray 
Library on realizing its goal of creating a depository that fosters, 
preserves, and maintains the American public's right to know. Lamar 
University is appreciated by the good citizens of the South East Texas.
  That is just the way it is.

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