[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E531-E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF SIAS INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY IN 
                            XINZHENG, CHINA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 2009

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate SIAS International University in Xinzheng, Henan Province, 
China on its 10th Anniversary as an institution of higher education.
  Founded in 1999, SIAS International University is a new type of post-
secondary experience striving to prepare students to be global 
citizens. Affiliated with Zhengzhou University and in cooperation with 
Fort Hays State University of Hays, Kansas, SIAS was designed to 
provide Chinese students with an educational experience that blends 
Chinese educational philosophies with western-style curriculum and 
techniques, offering students the skills needed to compete and prosper 
in our increasingly interconnected world.
  Licensed by the Henan Provincial Education Commission, SIAS is the 
first Chinese institution permitted by the Chinese State Degree Office 
to offer core classes in Western Civilization, Sociology and 
Government, providing students the ability to explore new ways to think 
about business and liberal arts. SIAS International University is also 
the first solely American-owned University in Central China; thus, 
Chinese students earn both Chinese and American education degrees and 
are able to apply their skills within trans-national corporations and 
enterprises.
  Fort Hays State University and all of Western Kansas benefit from 
this relationship. The university has seen an increase in the number of 
international students on campus which enriches the learning 
experiences for students, faculty, and administrators. Additionally, 
the community has benefitted from numerous programs that have been 
created to share music, art and culture with these international 
students.
  The partnership between SIAS International University and Fort Hays 
State University is the perfect example of our world flattening--of 
east meeting west. Even the architecture on the SIAS campus, including 
the main administration building, symbolizes this marriage of cultures, 
with one side representing the Forbidden City in classical Chinese 
architecture, and the other modeled after our own United States Capitol 
Building. This western-inspired campus serves as an appropriate 
environment for a new way of thinking for the Chinese students and 
faculty.
  The friendship between the United States of America and the People's 
Republic of China fosters an exchange of cultural richness and advances 
our mutual aspirations. The relationship between SIAS International 
University and Fort Hays State University is one part of this paradigm. 
Both China and America must work diligently to preserve this friendship 
and search for ways to recognize accomplishments when they are due. And 
today, recognition is due to SIAS International University for ten 
years of success.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating the Founder and 
Chairman of SIAS International University, Mr. Shawn

[[Page E532]]

Chen, as well as President Li Haijun for their extraordinary work. 
Also, please help me recognize Fort Hays State University President Dr. 
Edward H. Hammond, Provost Dr. Larry Gould, Assistant Provost for 
Strategic Partnerships Cindy Elliott, and the many others who have help 
foster this relationship and contributed to ten years of remarkable 
results. It is my hope that SIAS International University can continue 
its success in enriching the lives of students and communities both in 
China and here in America for decades to come.

                          ____________________