[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 3, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H2894-H2895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON ON ITS 100TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 77) congratulating the University of Mary 
Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, for more than 100 years of 
service and leadership to the United States.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                               H. Res. 77

       Whereas, on March 14, 1908, Virginia Governor Claude A. 
     Swanson signed into law legislation for the establishment of 
     the new State Normal and Industrial School for Women at 
     Fredericksburg, Virginia;
       Whereas in 1938, the institution was renamed Mary 
     Washington College in honor of Mary Ball Washington, the 
     mother of President George Washington;
       Whereas in 1970, the Virginia General Assembly approved 
     full coeducational status for Mary Washington College, and 
     men were enrolled as resident students for the first time;
       Whereas in 2004, the Virginia General Assembly approved 
     university status to the institution, changing its name to 
     the University of Mary Washington;
       Whereas the University of Mary Washington enrolls over 
     5,000 students and employs over 1,000 full-time and part-time 
     faculty and staff;
       Whereas in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked the 
     University of Mary Washington as third among public, 
     southern, master's degree-granting schools;
       Whereas the University of Mary Washington has been led by 
     eight presidents: Edward H. Russell (1908-1919), Algernon B. 
     Chandler, Jr. (1919-1928), Morgan L. Combs (1929-1955), 
     Grellet C. Simpson (1956-1974), Prince B. Woodard (1974-
     1982), William M. Anderson, Jr. (1983-2006), William J. 
     Frawley (2006-2007), and Judy G. Hample (2008-);
       Whereas the University of Mary Washington offers 43 degree 
     programs, including 32 undergraduate programs, 4 graduate 
     programs, 7 education specialist programs;
       Whereas in its centennial year, the University of Mary 
     Washington conferred more than 1,200 master's and bachelor's 
     degrees;
       Whereas the University of Mary Washington Intercollegiate 
     Athletic Program sponsors 23 NCAA Varsity Teams, and the 
     student-athletes on these teams have won five Individual and 
     Team National Championships, produced 245 All-America 
     Selections and more than 100 Academic All-Americans, and won 
     more Conference Championships than any other school in the 
     Capital Athletic Conference; and
       Whereas in 2009, the University of Mary Washington begins a 
     new century of academic excellence, service to the 
     Commonwealth of Virginia, and leadership to the world in 
     producing people of insight, wisdom, character, and 
     accomplishment: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, 
     Virginia, for more than 100 years of leadership and service 
     to the Fredericksburg area, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and 
     the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Polis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.


                             General Leave

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members

[[Page H2895]]

may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 77 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POLIS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 77, which 
celebrates the University of Mary Washington's 100 years of service and 
leadership.
  Founded in 1908, the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at 
Fredericksburg eventually became what is now known as the University of 
Mary Washington. Beginning with just 110 students, the school has grown 
into a prestigious university worthy of its namesake.
  Long-standing traditions, combined with rigorous scholarship, enable 
the University of Mary Washington to provide one of the finest liberal 
arts educations in the Nation. Offering more than 40 undergraduate 
majors, four graduate programs and seven education specialist programs, 
UMW is highly ranked in every publication. The university is committed 
to academic excellence, and according to the ``Fiske Guide to 
Colleges,'' UMW is described as ``one of the premium or premiere public 
liberal arts colleges in the country.'' During its centennial year 
alone, UMW conferred more than 1,200 degrees.
  With more than 5,000 enrolled students, the University of Mary 
Washington turns out students capable of extending their classroom 
knowledge into their communities and the world. UMW has a strong 
reputation of service, with 20 alumni currently serving in the Peace 
Corps. In fact, for the sixth year in a row, the Peace Corps has named 
the university to its annual list of ``Top Producing Colleges and 
Universities.'' The spirit of service has benefited the community and 
the students well as they prepare to tackle the challenges of our 
increasingly globalized world.
  When the university community came together to celebrate its century 
of existence and achievement last year, it renewed its commitment to 
excellence and success. As the university looks ahead to its future, 
may it continue to link its students and its community to the great 
tradition of its past and promise of its future.
  Mr. Speaker, I, again, congratulate the University of Mary Washington 
and urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 77, 
congratulating the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, 
Virginia, for more than 100 years of service and leadership to the 
United States.
  The University of Mary Washington was founded in 1908 and has become 
an institution of higher education that links traditions of the 
republic to innovations at the leading edge of pedagogy and research. 
Mary Washington has one of the leading public liberal arts colleges in 
the country, as well as a graduate and professional school.
  The University of Mary Washington was originally founded as a women's 
college and was designated as the women's college for the University of 
Virginia in 1944. In 1970, Mary Washington College transitioned to a 
co-educational college and was designated ``University of Mary 
Washington'' in 2004 to reflect the inclusion of its growing graduate 
programs.
  Located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, approximately 4,000 
undergraduate students are enrolled at Mary Washington's main campus, 
located on Marye's Heights, which played an important role in the 1862 
Battle of Fredericksburg.
  In addition, approximately 1,000 students and adults attend the 
graduate and professional school located in nearby Stafford County. 
Students from 43 different countries are enrolled in 40 different 
majors and programs of study at Mary Washington.
  The University of Mary Washington is ranked in every major selective 
guide publication. It was ranked fourth in its class by U.S. News and 
World Report, in the top ten nationally in Peace Corps alumni, and has 
a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet on the faculty. It was listed among 
Kiplinger's magazine ``100 Best Values in Public Colleges in 2009.'' 
Mary Washington was also named as one of the Nation's best colleges and 
universities by the ``Fiske Guide to Colleges'' and is said to have 
``gained a reputation as one of the premium public liberal arts 
colleges in the country.''
  Last year, the University of Mary Washington celebrated their 
centennial anniversary. For over 100 years, the university has provided 
America's students with a quality education and opportunity. The 
institution's link to both history and innovation has provided students 
with the unique and irreplaceable learning environment.
  I am happy to join my good friend and colleague, Representative 
Wittman, in congratulating the University of Mary Washington and ask my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to yield to the gentleman who 
represents the First District of Virginia, who represents the 
University of Mary Washington, Mr. Wittman, for as much time as he may 
consume.
  Mr. WITTMAN. I would like to thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 77, honoring 
the University of Mary Washington on the occasion of its 100th 
anniversary.
  On March 14, 1908, Virginia Governor Claude A. Swanson signed 
legislation that established what eventually became the University of 
Mary Washington. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate 
the University of Mary Washington on its achievements over the past 
century.
  Initially a small teaching college for women, the institution was 
renamed the University of Mary Washington in honor of Mary Ball 
Washington, the mother of President George Washington and a resident of 
the First District of Virginia. Currently, the University of Mary 
Washington has an enrollment of over 5,000 students, offers 43 degree 
programs, and consists of two campuses. The main campus is located in 
historic Fredericksburg, and the College of Graduate and Professional 
Studies is located in Stafford, Virginia.
  The University of Mary Washington has been recognized nationally as a 
leading liberal arts college, and the U.S. News and World Report ranked 
its masters programs fourth among southern public schools.
  The University of Mary Washington combines rich traditions with 
state-of-the-art technology to provide one of the best undergraduate 
liberal arts educations in the country. It also offers a variety of 
internships and study abroad programs that connect students locally, 
regionally, nationally and internationally.
  I am pleased to recognize the important contributions made by the 
University of Mary Washington to the Fredericksburg region, the 
Commonwealth, and the Nation. I congratulate the University of Mary 
Washington as it celebrates its 100th anniversary, and I wish the 
university continued success in providing an outstanding education to 
the students of the Commonwealth and the Nation.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the University of 
Mary Washington by supporting House Resolution 77.
  Mr. McKEON. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 77.
  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. POLIS. Mr. 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 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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