[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 40 (Monday, March 10, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1425-H1427]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOR 150 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP AND 
                                SERVICE

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 924) congratulating Iowa State University of 
Science and Technology for 150 years of leadership and service to the 
United States and the world as Iowa's land-grant university, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 924

       Whereas Iowa State University of Science and Technology was 
     established by the Iowa General Assembly on March 22, 1858, 
     as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm in response 
     to the State of Iowa's desire to provide higher education 
     opportunities to farm families and working classes in Iowa, 
     predating the passage of the Federal Morrill Act by 4 years;
       Whereas on September 11, 1862, Iowa became the first State 
     in the United States to accept the terms and conditions of 
     the Morrill Act creating the land-grant system of colleges 
     and universities;
       Whereas the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, known 
     today as Iowa State University of Science and Technology, 
     received Iowa's land-grant charter on March 29, 1864, making 
     it one of the first land-grant institutions in the United 
     States;
       Whereas Iowa State University was a pioneer in all 3 parts 
     of the land-grant mission, including--
       (1) allowing access to all, regardless of race, gender, or 
     social class;
       (2) practical research; and
       (3) outreach;
       Whereas Iowa State University fulfilled the 3 parts of the 
     land-grant mission by--
       (1) creating the first land-grant institution to be 
     coeducational from its opening, with 16 women in its first 
     class; future suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt was an 1880 
     graduate; and George Washington Carver was the first African-
     American student, earning a bachelor's degree in 1894 and a 
     master's degree in 1896, and was also the institution's first 
     African-American faculty member;
       (2) establishing the United States' first Engineering 
     Experiment Station and domestic economy experimental kitchen, 
     and one of the first agriculture experiment stations; and
       (3) organizing the Farmers Institutes in the winter of 
     1869, by Iowa State President Adonijah Welch, and organizing 
     the nation's first county Extension Service in 1903 in Sioux 
     County in northwest Iowa by Professor Perry Holden;
       Whereas some of the most important technological 
     advancements of the modern world were the result of research 
     at Iowa State, including--
       (1) development of hybrid seed corn in the 1920s;
       (2) pioneering work on soybean oil extraction and producing 
     ethanol from corn and other plant materials by Professor 
     Orland Sweeney in the 1930s;
       (3) invention of the electronic digital computer in the 
     late 1930s by Professor John Atanasoff and graduate student 
     Clifford Berry, whose Atanasoff-Berry Computer was the first 
     to incorporate the 7 basic principles of modern computing;
       (4) laying the foundation for the modern plastics industry 
     with polyethylene research by Professor Henry Gilman;
       (5) development of the process still used today to refine 
     pure rare-earth materials, including reactor-grade uranium, 
     by Professor Frank Spedding and Harley Wilhelm, as a result 
     of Iowa State's key role in the Manhattan Project in WWII;
       (6) development of modern livestock animal genetics by 
     Professor Jay Lush; and
       (7) first field-testing of a genetically altered plant 
     (tobacco) in 1987 and genetically altered tree (poplar) in 
     1989 by Professor Robert Thornburg;
       Whereas Iowa State hired one of the first permanent campus 
     artists-in-residence, with sculptor Christian Petersen 
     holding that position from 1934 to 1955 and providing 
     hundreds of sculptures and other art objects to the 
     university, whose Art on Campus collection today includes 
     more than 600 major public works of art;
       Whereas Iowa State has had a technology transfer office 
     since 1935, longer than all but one other university in the 
     United States, and is acknowledged today as a leader in 
     putting technology to work, being cited as a ``model of 
     economic development'' and ``licensing powerhouse'' in a 2007 
     study commissioned by the National Science Foundation;
       Whereas Iowa State University is today spearheading new 
     advances in science and technology, including new materials, 
     information sciences, green architecture, biological 
     research, and the development of biorenewable fuels and other 
     resources to support the bioeconomy and the Nation's 
     independence from nonrenewable petroleum resources; and
       Whereas more than 257,000 degrees have been awarded by Iowa 
     State, and its graduates include heads of State, leaders of 
     industry, great humanitarians, and gifted scientists, whose 
     work has improved the quality of life for people worldwide: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives 
     congratulates Iowa State University of Science and Technology 
     for 150 years of outstanding service to the State of Iowa, 
     the United States, and the world in fulfilling its mission as 
     a land-grant university; and thanks the State of Iowa for its 
     visionary leadership in the beginning of the land-grant 
     movement in the United States of America.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kuhl) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during 
which Members may insert material relevant to House Resolution 924 into 
the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Iowa?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. LOEBSACK asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I am proud to speak today in strong 
support of House Resolution 924, congratulating Iowa State University 
of Science and Technology for 150 years of leadership and service to 
the United States and the world as Iowa's land-grant university.
  Iowa State University is not in the Second District, but it is a very 
important place to me. The university serves thousands of students 
across Iowa, helping them prepare for the workforce and starting them 
on the path to success. Iowa State is my alma mater. I received a 
first-rate education at the university; and although I now represent 
the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, I am proud to be a Cyclone.
  Iowa State has many claims to fame. It was the first land-grant 
institution to be coeducational from its opening, with 16 women in its 
first class.
  Future suffragette Carrie Chapman Catt was an 1880 graduate. George 
Washington Carver was the first African American student, earning a 
bachelor's degree in 1894 and a master's degree in 1896 and was also 
the institution's first African American faculty member.
  Iowa State is also known for its cutting-edge agricultural research. 
Agriculture is a driving force in our State's economy, and the work the 
university does helps us remain competitive and strong. I am proud to 
say that most undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Iowa 
State come from Iowa, and a large proportion of these students remain 
in Iowa.
  In fact, about 71 percent of College of Agriculture and Life Science 
graduates stay in Iowa for their first jobs. Young men and women 
graduate and gain employment on farms and agricultural services, in 
forestry, in fishing, and much more.
  I congratulate Iowa State University for 150 years of excellence, and 
I look forward to another 150 years of the same.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 924, 
congratulating Iowa State University of Science and Technology for 150 
years of leadership and service to the United States and the world as 
Iowa's land-grant university.
  Iowa Agriculture College and Model Farm, now Iowa State University, 
was officially established on March 22, 1858. As a land-grant 
institution, Iowa agriculture college focused on ideals that higher 
education should be accessible to all and that the university should 
teach liberal and practical subjects. These ideas are integral to the 
land-grant university policy.
  Even before Abraham Lincoln signed a law that gave birth to the land-
grant universities, Iowa State was actively bringing knowledge to the 
people of

[[Page H1426]]

Iowa through farmers' short courses and farm demonstrations. The first 
official class, consisting of 24 men and two women, entered at Ames in 
1869 and graduated in 1872.
  Iowa State then was a leader and is now a leader in agriculture, 
engineering, extension, home economics, and created the Nation's first 
State veterinary medicine school in 1879. In 1959, the college was 
officially renamed Iowa State University of Science and Technology. The 
focus on technology has led to many research patents and inventions, 
including the first binary computer, the round hay baler, and many, 
many more.
  Today Iowa State University has approximately 27,000 students, some 
change from over 100 years ago. With world-class programs in 
agriculture, technology, science and art, the ``U.S. News & World 
Report'' ranks Iowa State among the top 50 public national 
universities. Half of Iowa State University freshmen get an early boost 
in academic success by participating in Iowa State's highly touted 
Learning Communities Program. Additionally, Iowa State University is 
ranked 18th in the Nation for its study or work abroad programs.
  Iowa State University is a very special place that is full of 
history; but what truly makes it unique is a rare combination of campus 
beauty, the opportunity to be part of the land-grant experiment, and to 
create a progressive and inventive spirit that they call the Cyclone 
Experience.
  I extend my congratulations along with all my colleagues to the 
university president, Gregory Geoffroy, all of Iowa State University's 
faculty, its staff, certainly, its students and alumni, and wish them 
continued success.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues support this resolution, and 
I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. First I want to thank the gentleman from New York for 
his wonderful words for Iowa State University.
  Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my friend 
and mentor, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell).
  Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 924, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Iowa State 
University.
  I want to thank my dear friend, Congressman Loebsack, for his 
leadership and yielding the time, and I also want to thank Congressman 
Braley and Congressman Latham for their leadership on this resolution.
  Iowa State University has made noteworthy contributions to the State 
of Iowa, our Nation and the world since being established in 1958. Iowa 
State was the first co-ed land-grant institution providing 
opportunities for students regardless of gender, race, or social class. 
Iowa State is home to critical agriculture research, from the 
development of the hybrid seed corn in the 1920s to important work on 
the development of ethanol and to the development of modern livestock 
animal genetics and many more.
  Iowa State continues to lead the Nation in research into biorenewable 
fuels and modern agriculture. In 2005 Iowa State's students finished 
third in the North American Solar Challenge, the world's longest solar 
car race. Iowa State has excelled in a number of other areas, from 
development of the electronic digital computer in the 1930s to research 
into refining reactor-grade uranium.
  The campus of Iowa State is also noteworthy. With over 600 public 
works of art, Iowa State was rated one of the 25 most beautiful 
campuses in ``The Campus as a Work of Art.'' Iowa State has graduated a 
number of prominent contributors to our Nation, including, as 
mentioned, George Washington Carver, who went on to serve as the 
school's first African American faculty member, as well as suffragette 
Carrie Chapman Catt, who graduated in 1880.
  In fact, more than half my colleagues in the current Iowa delegation 
attended Iowa State, including Mr. Loebsack, who is the floor manager 
of the bill, Bruce Braley, Tom Latham, and Senator Tom Harkin.
  I look forward to continuing to work with the great institution that 
is Iowa State University and I am confident that Iowa State will 
continue to have great influence in Iowa and across our Nation. Again, 
congratulations to Iowa State University for 150 remarkable years.
  Madam Speaker, I urge support of this resolution.
  Mr. KING of Iowa. Madam Speaker, Iowa State University is one of the 
most respected land-grant universities in the Nation. Created by the 
Iowa General Assembly in 1858, the Iowa Agricultural College and Model 
Farm was designated the first land-grant college when Iowa became the 
first state to accept the terms of the Federal Morrill Act in 1864.
  The act allowed Iowa to sell Federal land to finance a new college 
open to all, regardless of wealth, race or sex; offering a practical 
education in engineering, agriculture, and military science as well as 
classical studies; and sharing research knowledge with all Iowans. Iowa 
State University officially opened in 1869 and was the first 
coeducational land-grant school. Today, we are proudly celebrating the 
150th anniversary of Iowa State University.
  Iowa State University has been a leader in science in technology 
throughout its long history. The world's first electronic digital 
computer was developed at Iowa State by math and physics professor John 
V. Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry, in the late 1930s. 
Their invention, the ABC computer, has been called the most important 
technological innovation of the 20th century.
  The university is a leader in virtual reality research and its most 
advanced virtual reality theater, the C6, is the Nation's first six-
sided theater that totally immerses the user in images and sound.
  Iowa State is one of the top three U.S. universities in the 
development of patentable biotechnology. Last February, the Iowa Board 
of Regents approved a $32 million budget and conceptual design for a 
new biorenewables research laboratory at Iowa State University. The 
laboratory is the first piece of a new biorenewables complex planned 
for the university.
  Biorenewables research is the future of ISU and the State of Iowa. I 
congratulate Iowa State University on 150 years, and wish them many 
more. Go Cyclones.
  Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my 
almamater, Iowa State University, for 150 years of service to Iowa and 
the Nation. Iowa State University was founded on March 22, 1858, as the 
Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm. The college was one of the 
first land grant institutions in the country and was founded in 
response to the state of Iowa's strong desire to provide higher 
education opportunities to farm families and the working class in Iowa.
  I'm proud to say that my alma mater has taken an active role in 
promoting social justice and racial equality throughout its 150 year 
history. Iowa State University was the first coeducational land grant 
university graduating 16 women in its first graduating class. George 
Washington Carver was the first African American to graduate from the 
college in 1880 and later served as a faculty member at Iowa State. 
Women suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt also graduated from Iowa State in 
1880. Finally, Iowa State is home to the only division one football 
stadium to be named for an African American. Jack Trice stadium is 
named for Iowa State football player Jack Trice. Trice died due to 
injuries suffered during an Iowa State football game in 1923.
  Some of the biggest technological advancements in the world of 
science were made at Iowa State University. In the late 1930's 
Professor John Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry invented 
the first electronic digital computer at Iowa State. In the 1920's 
hybrid seed corn was developed at Iowa State and in the 1930's 
Professor Orland Sweeny conducted pioneer work on ethanol production 
from corn. Finally, the school established the Nation's first 
engineering experiment station and domestic economy experimental 
kitchen, and one of the first agricultural experiment stations.
  I'm proud to call Iowa State my alma mater and congratulate them for 
150 years of academic excellence. I urge my colleagues to join with me 
in congratulating the Iowa Sate community for all they have done and 
will continue to do for Iowa and the nation
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 924, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam 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

[[Page H1427]]

Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________