[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING CONNER HALL, UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

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                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2008

  Mr. KINGSTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Conner Hall, 
The University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental 
Sciences administrative building, on its 100th anniversary. Initially 
comprised of a single professor and only a few students, the college 
was a joint venture, cultivated by the University of Georgia and the 
Georgia legislature. Recognizing the need for agricultural education, 
the college became reality under UGA Chancellor Walter B. Hill and 
Legislator James J. Conner. Today the college has over 1,800 students 
enrolled in 10 departments with campuses located in Athens, Griffin, 
and Tifton.
  This 100tth Anniversary was marked by a Centennial Celebration on 
April 11, 2008, on the front lawn of Conner Hall in Athens, Georgia. 
Alumni, friends, and special guests of the University of Georgia's 
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences gathered to 
rededicate the building which was erected in 1908.
  Construction on Conner Hall broke ground in the same year that Henry 
Ford introduced the Model-T. Soon afterwards, the College of 
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences released several of its own 
innovations. Scientists developed new equipment, including the peanut 
combine and the onion harvester as well as created new crop varieties, 
many of which have become synonymous with the State of Georgia. The 
college developed Georgia's green peanuts and new varieties of cotton 
and Bermuda grass. Indeed, one could hardly pass through the State 
without seeing the boiled peanut stands that line many of Georgia's two 
lane roads. However, the college has yielded more than just 
agricultural innovations. In 1918, the college was the first at the 
University of Georgia to accept women.
  In 1941, World War II called Conner Hall, along with one-half of the 
college's faculty and staff into service. When the men and women of the 
college were serving their country, Conner Hall was home to the Navy 
Pre-Flight School. The building has also served as a creamery, 
cafeteria, a library, and radio station.
  In 2003, the college accomplished a superior achievement, 
successfully cloning its first calf, named KC. In early 2005, KC gave 
birth to her second calf, named Moonshine, and the college continues to 
serve the State in the area of biotechnology innovation as well as food 
safety. I look forward to the next generation of accomplishments as I 
continue working with the school as it continues down its innovative 
path.
  Advances in agricultural science have overcome the changing 
demographics since the early 19th century. Consider that in 1935, 6.8 
million farms provided sustenance for America's 127 million citizens. 
Today, less than 1 million farms produce food for more than 303 million 
Americans. In other words, 15 percent of farms that existed in 1935 
provide food for 238 percent more Americans. Such a feat could only be 
possible through advances in agricultural science and the many lessons 
studied at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and 
Environmental Sciences.

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