[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 34 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      STATEMENT ON THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF ELGIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL FOSTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2009

  Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Elgin 
Community College on the occasion of its 60th anniversary and to join 
in recognizing May 22, 2009 as Elgin Community College Day.
  Elgin Community College opened its doors in the fall of 1949 with 
only 97 students, 1 administrator, 1 full-time faculty member and 17 
part-time staff members. For its first 10 years, the school worked out 
of a wing of the old High School on Elgin's East Side.
  Throughout the 1950s, ECC was run by Public School District U-46. 
After 16 years of existence, Elgin became an independent community 
college in 1965.
  Throughout the 1970s, Elgin Community College expanded curricula, 
faculty, staff, and services that included on-campus child care, 
financial aid, job placement, student activities, and tutoring. In 
1974, the current boundaries of the Community College District were 
established. This district encompasses 360 square miles and serves 
students from 5 counties.
  During the 1980s, Elgin Community College's enrollment increased 
significantly, so the college adapted by opening new facilities off-
site and exploring alternate ways to reach its students. ECC first 
offered telecourses in 1980, and eventually opened a community 
education center in Carpentersville.
  From the 1990s up to today, the college has continued to grow and now 
serves a diverse student population. Currently one out of every twelve 
adults in the Elgin Community College District takes at least one class 
a year at the school, and three out of every ten high school seniors 
choose ECC to continue their education.
  I congratulate the class of 2009 and the entire Elgin Community 
College Family. I thank them for their service to the community, and I 
look forward to watching the College grow in the future.

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