[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 6, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H2197-H2198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ON ITS 125TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 182) commending and congratulating 
Virginia State University on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 182

       Whereas Virginia State University, overlooking the 
     Appomattox River in the Town of Ettrick in Chesterfield 
     County, will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2007;
       Whereas Virginia State University (VSU) was founded on 
     March 6, 1882, as the Virginia Normal and Collegiate 
     Institute, making it the first fully State-supported 4-year 
     institution of higher learning for black Americans and one of 
     Virginia's two land-grant institutions;
       Whereas since its humble beginnings, Virginia State 
     University has responded to the needs of Virginians as a 
     dynamic institution offering an accessible, affordable, 
     quality education;
       Whereas with an enrollment of nearly 5,000, VSU students 
     live and attend classes on a beautiful 236-acre main campus 
     with more than 50 buildings, including 15 dormitories, 16 
     classroom buildings, and a 416-acre agricultural research 
     facility;
       Whereas the first president of Virginia State University 
     was John Mercer Langston, who became the first African 
     American elected to Congress from Virginia;
       Whereas Virginia State University has an exemplary and 
     dedicated faculty and staff, who are committed to offering 
     their students the personal attention that smaller 
     institutions can offer;
       Whereas Virginia State University's academic programs 
     include the Bridges to Baccalaureate program for students 
     transferring from 2-year colleges who want to major in the 
     sciences, the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program for students 
     planning to pursue doctoral degrees, and the Honda Campus 
     All-Star Challenge;
       Whereas Virginia State University offers 45 baccalaureate 
     and master's degree programs within its 5 schools (the School 
     of Agriculture, School of Business, School of Engineering, 
     Science, and Technology, School of Liberal Arts and 
     Education, and the School of Graduate Studies, Research, and 
     Outreach), and a Certificate of Advanced Study may also be 
     earned from each school;
       Whereas honors scholarships are available to entering VSU 
     freshmen, including the Presidential and Provost 
     Scholarships;
       Whereas in 2003 Virginia State University introduced its 
     first doctoral program and 12 enthusiastic students enrolled 
     in the new Doctor of Education in Administration and 
     Supervision program;
       Whereas in 2005 Virginia State University began a vital new 
     nursing degree program, an important initiative that will 
     train nurses to meet the urgent demand for qualified medical 
     professionals in the hospitals and clinics of Southside 
     Virginia;
       Whereas the School of Graduate Studies, Research and 
     Outreach allows students, often working adults with diverse 
     professional and educational backgrounds, to more 
     conveniently continue their education on a full-time or part-
     time basis; the school also provides workshops, seminars, and 
     credit courses on campus and at sites in Richmond, Emporia, 
     Petersburg, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Henrico, and other 
     Southside Virginia locations; and
       Whereas Virginia State University has a long and rich 
     history and has grown and changed considerably since 1882, 
     and it continues that growth today, enriching individual 
     lives, the surrounding community, and the Commonwealth 
     through excellent teaching and innovative and engaging 
     programs of study: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives commends and 
     congratulates Virginia State University on the occasion of 
     its 125th anniversary.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days 
during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 182 into 
the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 182 is a resolution commending and 
congratulating Virginia State University on the occasion of its 125th 
anniversary. H. Res. 182 was introduced by my colleague from Virginia 
from the Fourth Congressional District of Virginia, Mr. Forbes.
  Virginia State University was founded on March 6, 1882, as the 
Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, making it the first fully 
State-supported 4-year institution of higher learning for African 
Americans. Today, it is one of Virginia's two land-grant institutions.
  The first president of Virginia State University was John Mercer 
Langston who upon his election to Congress in 1890 was the first 
African American elected to Congress and, until my election in 1992, 
had been the only African American elected from Virginia.
  In 1935, Virginia State University founded a 2-year satellite school 
at Norfolk, Virginia. That school today is known as Norfolk State 
University.
  Today, Virginia State has an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students who 
live and learn on a 236-acre main campus overlooking the Appomattox 
River in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The school also has a 416-acre 
agricultural research facility.
  The University's academic programs include the ``Bridges to 
Baccalaureate'' program for students transferring from 2-year colleges 
who want to major in science, as well as the Honda Campus All-Star 
Challenge and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program for students 
planning to pursue doctoral degrees.
  Virginia State has helped set the standard for minority-serving 
institutions in Virginia and across the Nation by providing quality 
higher education opportunities for 125 years.
  My family has a proud Trojan tradition. My mother attended Virginia 
State, my older brother is a graduate of Virginia State, and I am 
honored to have an honorary degree from Virginia State.
  So I congratulate Virginia State University on its 125th anniversary 
and wish them another successful 125 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 182, a resolution to 
recognize the contributions of Virginia State University on the 
occasion of its 125th anniversary.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes) and my 
colleague on the Education and Labor Committee, Mr. Scott, for 
introducing this resolution and recognizing the important role that 
Virginia State University plays in educating young people from all over 
the world.

[[Page H2198]]

  As a historically black college and university, or HBCU, Virginia 
State University is one of a diverse community of institutions. 
Historically black colleges and universities include 2- and 4-year 
institutions, public and private institutions, as well as single-sex 
and coed institutions. To be designated a historically black college or 
university, an institution must have been established prior to 1964 
with a primary mission of educating African Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, HBCUs have a long, proud and well-established heritage. 
These institutions have been educating the students of this Nation for 
over 100 years. While comprising fewer than 3 percent of the country's 
2-and 4-year institutions, HBCUs are responsible for producing a 
significant number of all bachelor's, master's and professional degrees 
earned by African Americans.
  Congress has repeatedly recognized the importance of the historically 
black colleges and universities. Between 1995 and 2006, congressional 
funding for the Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities Program rose from $109 million to $238 million, a 118 
percent increase. What is more, funding for the HBCU Grad Program 
increased from $19.6 million to $57.9 million, an increase of 195 
percent.
  Virginia State University, located in Petersburg, VA, was originally 
founded on March 6, 1882, as the Virginia Normal and Collegiate 
Institute and was the first fully State-supported 4-year institution of 
higher education for African Americans and one of Virginia's two land-
grant institutions. VSU's first president, John Mercer Langston, went 
on to become the first African American Member of Congress from the 
Commonwealth of Virginia.
  This school offers 43 undergraduate degree programs and 15 graduate 
degree programs. The campus is composed of more than 50 buildings, 
which include a 416-acre agricultural research facility. Since its 
founding, VSU has grown from a small HBCU to an institution that 
enrolls just over 5,000 students, 96 percent of whom are African 
American.
  Mr. Speaker, it is for all of these reasons and more that I urge my 
colleagues to honor the 125th anniversary of Virginia State University 
and support H. Res. 182
  Mr. Speaker, I now yield as much time as he needs to my colleague 
from Virginia (Mr. Forbes).
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Chairman 
Miller and Ranking Member McKeon for their work in getting this 
resolution to the floor. I also want to thank my friend and colleague, 
Congressman Scott, for his hard work and the work of his staff in 
getting the bill here and also Congresswoman Foxx for her efforts and 
her staff in helping to get H. Res. 182 on the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as do my colleagues, to commend Virginia 
State University on the celebration of their 125th anniversary. This 
resolution honors Virginia State University's continued resolve to 
provide an excellence in education since March 6, 1882.
  Mr. Speaker, today we just pause and we say to all of the current 
students of Virginia State University, to the alumni, to the faculty 
and to the administration, thank you for a job well done in the pursuit 
of excellence that you have done for these last 125 years.
  As you may know and you have heard mentioned today, Mr. Speaker, 
Virginia State University is located in my district in Chesterfield 
County, and it is warmly embraced by the neighboring city of 
Petersburg. It was the first university to be fully funded by the 
Commonwealth of Virginia as an institution of higher learning for 
African Americans.
  Currently, Virginia State University offers 45 baccalaureate and 
master's degree programs and introduced their first doctoral program in 
2003. This campus includes 236 acres and an additional 416-acre 
agriculture research facility. They host nearly 5,000 students and 
continue to grow.
  It fills me with pride to stand on the House floor today to present 
this resolution. We have had a long-standing relationship with Virginia 
State University and look forward to continuing this through the years 
to come.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution comes before the House floor cosponsored 
by the entire Virginia congressional delegation. Though I cannot speak 
for my colleagues, I believe I can say we are proud of the progress 
Virginia State University has provided through its 125 years of service 
to the students in Virginia and beyond. This anniversary represents a 
significant milestone in the Commonwealth of Virginia's history.
  The university is more than worthy of this distinguished recognition 
for the impressive advancements and accomplishments in their 125-year 
history, and we are honored to acknowledge their achievements today
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, 125 years ago, Virginia State 
University was founded. I want to thank my colleague from Virginia for 
his leadership in introducing this resolution, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 182, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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