[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2409-E2410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA'S COMMITMENT TO OUR 
                         STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 30, 2009

  Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) 
has been providing quality, affordable higher educational opportunities 
to students since 1875.
  With over 14,000 students, 1,600 employees, and an annual operating 
budget of nearly $250 million, IUP is one of the top economic drivers 
in Indiana County, and the reason why unemployment rates there fall 
well below the national and state averages.
  In this tough economy, IUP has the largest student enrollment in 
University history, and has been frequently ranked as a ``best value 
for public colleges and universities.''
  Madam Speaker, when my grandfather, Charles Ray, graduated from IUP 
in 1902, there were only twenty-five students in his class. Twenty-five 
years later, my mother graduated from IUP, and by the time my daughter 
graduated from IUP the University had over 10,000 students.
  Having worked with IUP over the last few decades, I have witnessed 
both their academic achievements and their strong leadership within our 
community. University officials work hand-in-hand with our local and 
state representatives to identify projects that have the greatest 
academic impact on our students and the greatest economic impact on our 
community.
  The Foundation for IUP is currently working with city and county 
officials to make a series of main street improvements to downtown 
Indiana. The Foundation's $500,000 investment is transforming the 
city's main thoroughfare and improving the livability of our community.
  IUP is near the completion of a multi-phase residential revival 
program, a $270 million public-private collaboration that is the 
largest of its kind in the nation. These new student housing facilities 
integrate ``living-learning'' space and are beautifying both the campus 
and community.

[[Page E2410]]

  Most recently, IUP began construction of a 150,000 square-foot 
convention and athletic complex. The complex, built on the site of a 
former salvage company, will provide IUP and the community with space 
to accommodate large events that will bring in both patrons and 
revenue.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to commend the achievements of Indiana 
University of Pennsylvania, and to thank them for their exceptional 
commitment to our students and to our community.

                          ____________________