[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 3, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H12258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING CHENEY UNIVERSITY ON ITS 173RD FOUNDERS DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SESTAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 173rd Founders Day of 
Cheney University of Pennsylvania, our Nation's oldest Historically 
Black Institution of higher education, and its vision to prepare 
stellar, reflective, visionary leaders and responsible citizens.
  At the time of its founding in 1837 by Quaker philanthropist Richard 
Humphreys, Cheney University served as a learning place for African 
Americans who sought an education that would prepare them to become 
teachers. To meet the needs of all qualified young people regardless of 
economic status, the university offered a free classical education on 
its Philadelphia campus. But in 1902, the university moved about 25 
miles west of Philadelphia to George Cheney's farm, where it is located 
today in my district. By 1983, Cheney University joined the 
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
  Today, Cheney University has a diverse student body made up of 
bright, confident individuals who represent a variety of races, 
cultures and nationalities. In addition to becoming professionals in 
the education sector, Cheney graduates earn degrees in more than 30 
disciplines and make their mark in careers that include journalism, 
medicine, business, science, law, communications, and government 
service.
  Among the 10,000 talented graduates who have gone on to lead and make 
a difference in the world have been journalist Ed Bradley of the CBS 
program ``60 Minutes''; Robert W. Bogle, publisher and CEO of the 
Philadelphia Tribune, the oldest newspaper continuously owned and 
operated by an African American.

                              {time}  1915

  Gladys Styles Johnston, chancellor of the University of Nebraska at 
Kearney; The Honorable Michael Horsey, Pennsylvania House of 
Representatives; The Honorable Thaddeus Kirkland, Pennsylvania House of 
Representatives; Robert L. Woodson, founder and president of the 
National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise (NCNE); Samuel J. 
Patterson, CEO of Shepard Patterson Systems and Information Consulting 
Firm; and Ambassador Joseph M. Segars.
  On November 6, 2009, Cheney University will celebrate its remarkable 
history and dedication to excellence in education by looking forward to 
a new generation of leaders. Through its Academic Success Center and 
small class sizes, Cheney University provides an academic environment 
in which students take on a variety of leadership positions at the 
university. There are more than 40 student organizations allowing 
students to take advantage of many extracurricular opportunities at the 
campus newspaper, television station, radio station, and in competitive 
athletics.
  As Michelle Howard-Vital says of her Cheney students, ``On campus, 
you will see hope and enthusiasm in the eyes of future graduates who 
will leave Cheney to compete for leadership positions in Pennsylvania, 
in the United States and around the world.''
  To honor Cheney University's ongoing commitment to leadership on its 
173rd Founder's Day, educator, author, and motivational speaker Salome 
Thomas-El will address the university on the subject of leadership and 
character for the 21st century. In addition, Cheney University will 
honor The Honorable James R. Roebuck, Pennsylvania House of 
Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Cheney University of Pennsylvania's 
173rd Founder's Day, I acknowledge the alumni, current students, 
faculty and staff, officers, advisory team, council of trustees, and 
President Howard-Vital for their collaboration and dedication to 
educating our next generation of American and world leaders at a 
marvelous university.

                          ____________________