[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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