[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 21, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H11535-H11536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 837) recognizing Kentucky Wesleyan 
College for over 150 years of service as an institution of higher 
education.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 837

       Whereas Kentucky Wesleyan College was founded in 1858;
       Whereas the first commencement held at Kentucky Wesleyan 
     College was in 1868;
       Whereas Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, liberal 
     arts Methodist college located in Owensboro, Kentucky;
       Whereas 956 students from 27 States and 6 foreign countries 
     were enrolled at Kentucky Wesleyan College in the fall of 
     2008;
       Whereas Kentucky Wesleyan College's mission statement is to 
     foster a liberal arts education that nourishes, stimulates, 
     and prepares future leaders intellectually, spiritually, and 
     physically to achieve success in life;
       Whereas Kentucky Wesleyan College has a number of notable 
     alumni, including a United States Supreme Court justice, a 
     Major League Baseball pitcher, and the founder of another 
     Kentucky institution of higher education;
       Whereas the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers compete in National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association Division II athletics; and
       Whereas from overseas mission trips to numerous local 
     projects, Kentucky Wesleyan students meet the needs of others 
     and positively impact the world around them: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes Kentucky Wesleyan College for over 150 years 
     of service as an institution of higher education; and
       (2) thanks Kentucky Wesleyan College for the valuable 
     education it has provided to students.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days 
during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert 
extraneous material on House Resolution 837 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 837, which 
recognizes Kentucky Wesleyan College for its over 150 years of 
operation.
  Founded in 1858, during a Kentucky Methodist conference, Kentucky 
Wesleyan College began as a training school for preachers, but the 
curriculum expanded to include an inclusive liberal arts education and, 
after a strong demand, business classes.
  By the 1880s, half of the alumni were employed as either teachers or 
as businessmen--I hope businesswomen as well, but perhaps not at that 
time--a testament to the quality of the education students received at 
KWC.
  As of 2008, Kentucky Wesleyan College annually enrolls over 950 
students, and offers a wide range of courses. With 27 majors and a 15-1 
student-to-faculty ratio, Kentucky Wesleyan College boasts a strong 
academic program. By coupling this strong educational base with small 
classes and elite professors, KWC offers a supportive environment for 
their students to learn and grow.
  KWC's religious history influences its students. Today, young men and 
women graduate from Kentucky Wesleyan College with high morals, values 
and faith. At this institution, students are encouraged to become the 
best that they can be in both their personal and academic lives. 
Students are also encouraged to serve. Last year, one-third of the 
students took part in a community service event. For example, Kentucky 
Wesleyan College student Campus Ministries puts on service projects on 
campus and in the Owensboro area. This small college accomplishes many 
feats. It graduates educational leaders, professional athletes and even 
United States Supreme Court Justice Stanley Forman Reed.
  Though much has changed at KWC since it was founded in 1858, the core 
principles have remained the same. KWC still strives to nourish, 
stimulate and prepare students and alumni to lead organizations with 
integrity and to lead a life of spirituality.
  KWC has existed for over 150 years. As the college celebrates this 
milestone, I want to take a moment to recognize KWC's success. The 
college will also take a look ahead to continue its service to the 
community and to its students.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for Kentucky Wesleyan 
College, and I thank Representative Guthrie for bringing this bill 
forward, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 837, 
recognizing Kentucky Wesleyan College for over 150 years of service as 
an institution of higher education.
  Kentucky Wesleyan College, in partnership with the United Methodist 
Church, fosters a liberal arts education that nourishes, stimulates and 
prepares future leaders intellectually, spiritually and physically to 
achieve success in life.
  Founded in 1858, Kentucky Wesleyan College was originally located in 
Millersburg. Classes began in 1866, and the first commencement took 
place in 1868. At first, it was a training school for preachers; but 
soon, business classes and liberal arts classes were added to the 
curriculum. In 1890, the school moved to Winchester, and soon after, 
women began to be admitted to the school for the first time. In 1951, 
the school moved to its present location in Kentucky's third largest 
city, Owensboro.
  Kentucky Wesleyan secured full accreditation by the Southern 
Association of Colleges and Schools in 1947. Increasingly, Kentucky 
Wesleyan graduates were making their mark in the graduate and 
professional schools of the region. The strong curriculum in business 
and liberal arts was expanded to include major programs in 
preprofessional areas. Kentucky Wesleyan earned an enviable reputation 
for the many students being sent to medical, dental, law, and graduate 
schools.

                              {time}  1115

  Kentucky Wesleyan gained national recognition in athletics when its 
men's basketball team won men's championships in 1966, 1968, 1969, 
1973, 1987, 1990 and 1999. No Division II school has ever surpassed 
this record.
  In the 1990s, Kentucky Wesleyan College revised its mission statement 
to focus on preparing leaders for the 21st century. The college 
reaffirmed its commitment to the liberal arts and modified the general 
education program toward fulfilling the new mission statement. Offering 
27 majors in 10 preprofessional curriculums, Kentucky Wesleyan College 
has a 15:1 student-faculty ratio.
  Superb teaching from a global perspective provides a rich classroom 
experience at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Students sharpen their skills,

[[Page H11536]]

their critical thinking, by learning how to find, use and defend 
worthwhile information. In addition, students are encouraged to serve 
in anticipation of a lifetime of service to others. Kentucky Wesleyan's 
students meet the needs of others and positively impact the world 
around them.
  Congratulations to President Dr. Cheryl King, the Kentucky Wesleyan 
students, faculty, and staff on over 150 years of service as an 
institution of higher education.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may 
consume to Mr. Guthrie of Kentucky.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kentucky Wesleyan 
College, which for over 150 years has been dedicated to giving its 
students the tools they need to be successful in all areas of life.
  A small liberal arts college, Kentucky Wesleyan offers a distinct 
collegiate experience that allows the undergraduates to grow 
academically, professionally, and spiritually. The college started from 
its modest beginnings in Millersburg, Kentucky, in 1858, with one 
building and with the first graduating class consisting of only one 
man.
  Today, Kentucky Wesleyan has broken out and made incredible gains, 
with over 8,500 men and women having earned degrees, each continuing to 
uphold the traditions and values that were created so long ago. Over 
recent years, the college has renovated and expanded by updating the 
campus with new and refurbished buildings, adding new faculty and 
academic programs, and steadily increasing enrollment. Students at 
Kentucky Wesleyan are committed to making a difference and encouraged 
to be an example for others.
  The president of the college, Dr. Cheryl D. King, who is also an 
alumna, has made it a point to develop personal relationships with the 
students. She is dedicated to making their collegiate experience a 
valuable and memorable one. Dr. King expresses the goals and values of 
the college perfectly in a letter to prospective students. In it she 
writes:
  ``Our students are encouraged to serve in anticipation of a lifetime 
of service to others. Last year, one-third of our students took part in 
community service opportunities. From overseas mission trips to 
numerous local projects, Kentucky Wesleyan students meet the needs of 
others and positively impact the world around them.''
  Kentucky Wesleyan has truly lived out its mission statement to foster 
a liberal arts education that nourishes, stimulates, and prepares 
future leaders intellectually, spiritually, and physically to achieve 
success in life. Under the leadership of Dr. King, I know the college 
will continue to grow and flourish. I look forward to watching the 
strides they make and seeing the accomplishments of its students and 
alumni.
  I am proud to represent Kentucky Wesleyan in Washington. I am proud 
to represent the community in which it exists, Owensboro, in Daviess 
County, and I wish them nothing but the best.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to bring House 
Resolution 837 forward. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 837.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. 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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