[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 129 (Monday, September 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CITY OF KINGSPORT ON THE HIGHER EDUCATION 
                               INITIATIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DAVID P. ROE

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 2009

  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
congratulate the Higher Education Initiative by the City of Kingsport. 
The Higher Education Initiative worked to revitalize the economy in 
Kingsport by improving the overall education level of its labor force.
  Madam Speaker, I am not the only one praising Kingsport for their 
initiative. Kingsport has been awarded the 2009 Innovations in American 
Government Awards by The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and 
Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard 
University for its higher education initiatives.
  To win this prestigious award, Kingsport had to compete against 600 
other federal, state and local governments.
  The Kingsport Center for Higher Education consists of five 
institutions: Carson-Newman College, King College, Lincoln Memorial 
University, Northeast State Community College, and the University of 
Tennessee. This unique partnership allows the Center to offer courses 
and programs ranging from associate to doctoral degrees.
  Just recently, I moved my district congressional office to this 
impressive facility. As a member of the Education and Labor Committee, 
I support this great initiative and I thank Kingsport for their 
dedication to their local economy and their commitment to education.
  Since Kingsport has taken the initiative towards promoting higher 
education nearly a decade ago, there has been a 23 percent increase in 
high school graduates, a 27.5 percent increase in those with Associate 
Degrees and a 19.2 increase in those with Bachelor's Degrees.
  Education adds value and improves quality of life. I commend the City 
of Kingsport for their hard work and dedication that has truly made the 
city a better place.

                          ____________________