[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H9833-H9834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WESTERN WYOMING COMMUNITY COLLEGE

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 696) acknowledging and congratulating Western 
Wyoming Community College in Southwest Wyoming on the occasion of its 
50th anniversary of service to the students and citizens of the State 
of Wyoming.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 696

       Whereas Western Wyoming Community College was established 
     in 1959 through the efforts of a citizens committee and a 
     general election that formed the original district;
       Whereas the College began classes in Rock Springs High 
     School, moved to the Reliance School, and then finally moved 
     to its present College Drive location in Rock Springs in 
     1969;
       Whereas the College opened an extended campus in Green 
     River in 1975;
       Whereas these expansions were made possible in part by the 
     Sweetwater County voters, who approved 3 general obligation 
     bond issues, leading to the construction of Western's current 
     award-winning structure;
       Whereas the College's service area now encompasses all of 
     Southwestern Wyoming, including Sweetwater, Uinta, Carbon, 
     Sublette, and Lincoln counties;
       Whereas the College has grown from serving 40 students 
     during the fall semester of 1959 to currently serving over 
     4,000 credit and 2,000 community education students each 
     semester;
       Whereas the College adheres to its Guiding Principles: 
     ``Learning is our Purpose'', ``Students are our Focus'', 
     ``Employees are our Most Important Resource'', ``The 
     Community is our Partner'', ``Adapting to Change Defines our 
     Future'', and ``Ethical Standards Guide our Actions'';
       Whereas the College embodies these principles in its motto: 
     ``A commitment to quality and success'';
       Whereas the College is a valued partner with industry, 
     education, and local business in its service area to provide 
     transfer and technical education, workforce training, 
     cultural and athletic activities, and community education 
     courses;
       Whereas the College is the fifth of 7 comprehensive 
     community colleges in Wyoming, and a vital part of Wyoming's 
     higher education system;
       Whereas the transfer agreement between Wyoming's community 
     colleges and the University of Wyoming creates a seamless 
     transition for students wishing to continue their education; 
     and
       Whereas the fall of 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the 
     establishment of Western Wyoming Community College: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives acknowledges 
     and congratulates Western Wyoming Community College in 
     Southwest Wyoming on the occasion of its 50th anniversary of 
     service to the students and citizens of the State of Wyoming.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii.


                             General Leave

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 
696 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I 
rise today in support of H. Res. 696, which celebrates Western Wyoming 
Community College's 50th year of service to the students and the State 
of Wyoming.
  Established in 1959, a local citizens committee and a general 
election led to Western Wyoming Community College. Beginning with only 
40 community college students and occupying the local high school 
facilities, WWCC has emerged as a vital part of the southwestern 
Wyoming community that prepares graduates for advanced degrees and 
workforce readiness.
  WWCC is a comprehensive community college that provides a great 
foundation for students because of its small class sizes, hands-on 
learning experiences, and highly qualified instructors. WWCC truly 
succeeds at educating its students. In 2008, 100 percent of the nursing 
class passed the State exam.
  Today, Western Wyoming Community College enrolls over 3,000 students 
and offers a wide range of courses. With nine academic programs, 70 
concentrations, $3 million worth of financial aid, and moderate 
undergraduate tuition, WWCC provides an affordable and diverse academic 
education for many students living in the surrounding area.
  The college prides itself on responding to the changing needs of 
local businesses and industries, primarily mining and energy, with 
exceptional academic and technical programs. Its success is based on a 
strong history of collaboration with local industries.
  With that said, WWCC lives up to its motto: ``A commitment to quality 
and success.'' I commend Representative Lummis for bringing this 
resolution forward. Again, I want to express my support for this bill, 
and urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 696, acknowledging and 
congratulating Western Wyoming Community College in southwest Wyoming 
on the occasion of its 50th anniversary of service to the students and 
citizens of Wyoming.
  Western Wyoming Community College was established in 1959. Through 
the efforts of a citizens' committee, a campaign began, an election was 
held, and the college in the original district was created. Through the 
support of the community, the campus has been expanded several times 
since it was originally built in 1966. Student numbers have increased 
from 40 in 1959 to over 5,000 in 2002.
  Western Wyoming Community College has grown almost every year and is 
now one of the seven community colleges that serve the State of 
Wyoming. The main campus is located in Rock Springs, Wyoming, and, 
together with an extended campus located in Green River, comprises the 
fourth-largest population center in Wyoming.
  WWCC offers a variety of educational services to the community. They 
offer 2-year transfer programs for students pursuing a baccalaureate, 
2-year occupational degrees, and a number of occupational certificate 
programs. The college has programs in humanities and fine arts; social 
science; science and mathematics; business; technology and industry; 
and health science.
  Western's mission statement reflects the dedication to education that 
has led WWCC to become the successful institution it is today. Of the 
293 first-time, full-time students that enrolled in WWCC in 2005, 72 
percent graduated or went on to other higher education institutions by 
2008.
  The mission of WWCC is to provide access to postsecondary educational 
opportunities by offering broad, comprehensive programs in academic as 
well as vocational technical subjects. Committed to quality and 
success, Western encourages flexibility, innovation, and active 
learning for students, faculty, and staff.
  Western Wyoming Community College celebrates the 50th anniversary of 
their founding this month. For 50 years, WWCC has provided a quality 
education to the people of their community, allowing them to further 
their careers and better their lives.
  I thank Representative Lummis of Wyoming for introducing this 
resolution. I congratulate Western Wyoming Community College. I ask my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H9834]]

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she 
may consume to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Mrs. Lummis).
  Mrs. LUMMIS. I rise today in support of House Resolution 696 and in 
recognition of the 50 years of achievement in service by Western 
Wyoming Community College. I further wish to thank the gentlelady from 
Hawaii and the gentleman from Pennsylvania for their support of this 
resolution.
  As the gentlelady from Hawaii pointed out, Western began in fall of 
1959, serving only 40 students out of Rock Springs High School. Today, 
they have an award-winning campus on College Drive in Rock Springs as 
well as an extended campus in Green River, which collectively serve 
4,000 credits and 2,000 community education students each semester.
  Western serves Sweetwater, Uinta, Carbon, Sublette, and Lincoln 
Counties, all in southwest Wyoming. It is a valued partner with 
industry, education and local business in its service area to provide 
transfer and technical education, workforce training, cultural and 
athletic activities, and community education courses.
  Like many educational institutions across the Nation, Western adheres 
to a set of altruistic guiding principles: Learning is our Purpose; 
Students are our Focus; Employees are our Most Important Resource; the 
Community is our Partner; Adapting to Change Defines our Future; and, 
Ethical Standards Guide our Actions. And it embodies these principles 
in its motto: ``A commitment to quality and success.''
  Across our Nation, community colleges play a vital role in the higher 
education system. No State feels their significance more than the State 
of Wyoming.
  Wyoming is almost 100,000 square miles and is served by only one 4-
year university. Western is the fifth of seven comprehensive community 
colleges that bridge this geographic span, making college affordable 
and accessible across the State of Wyoming.
  The seven community colleges across Wyoming allow some students to 
complete their education with technical training or a 2-year associates 
degree, while others transfer earned credit to continue and receive 
their bachelor degrees and beyond.
  Making the goals of many students even more accessible is the 
seamless transfer agreement between the University of Wyoming and the 
community colleges, allowing students to continue their education in 
Laramie without loss of credits in the move.
  So in recognition of the Western Mustangs, their 50th anniversary, 
and to community colleges across Wyoming and the Nation, I ask my 
colleagues to celebrate Western's achievements with me today.
  Western will be celebrating as a campus from this Saturday, September 
26, through the following Sunday, October 4. Please help me in having 
the U.S. House of Representatives celebrate this achievement with them 
by passing House Resolution 696.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, having no additional 
speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. I want to thank the gentlelady from Wyoming for bringing 
this forward, because community colleges all across the country play a 
pivotal role in providing educational opportunities for our citizens. 
I, of course, congratulate WWCC on its 50th anniversary.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 696.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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