[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 37 (Monday, March 15, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1403-H1404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY HONORS 
                                COLLEGE

  Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1163) recognizing Washington State University 
Honors College for 50 years of excellence.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1163

       Whereas Washington State University Honors College was 
     established in 1960, 70 years after the founding of 
     Washington State University;
       Whereas Sidney Hacker, Professor of Mathematics, directed 
     the establishment of the Honors program at Washington State 
     University;
       Whereas Washington State University, located in Pullman, 
     Washington, is the State's largest land-grant university and 
     offers more than 200 areas of study;
       Whereas the Washington State University Honors College 
     offers an enriched 4-year curriculum to highly able students 
     and provides such students with the opportunity to challenge 
     themselves;
       Whereas studies at the Washington State University Honors 
     College promote the six learning goals of the Honors College, 
     including critical and creative thinking, quantitative and 
     symbolic reasoning, information literacy, communication, self 
     in society, and disciplinary knowledge; and
       Whereas Washington State University Honors College is one 
     of the most respected programs of its kind nationally: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes 
     Washington State University Honors College for 50 years of 
     excellence.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii.


                             General Leave

  Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 1163 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.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1163, which 
recognizes Washington State University Honors College for 50 years of 
excellence. Established in 1960 in Pullman, Washington, Washington 
State University Honors College is an institution with an enriched 
curriculum, small classes, a talented and diverse student body with a 
wealth of abroad opportunities. The 4-year core curriculum is designed 
to develop each member of the school's academic community to reach his 
or her full potential, and to lead and serve their local, national, and 
global communities.
  The faculty, staff, and students of the Honors College create a 
community of learning that values creativity, high standards of 
scholarship, and achievement. It also fosters independent thinking and 
intellectual risk-taking, while valuing engagement and responsibility 
to community.
  Many of Washington State University's high-achieving students chose 
to attend the Honors College because of the school's small class sizes 
and the curriculum designed around real-life issues. They also seek out 
the extensive focus on written and oral presentations and the 
interactive structure of the college's program, which allows students 
to take ownership for their own learning. Members of the Honors College 
student body are also encouraged to spend a portion of their academic 
years studying abroad and to gain proficiency in a second language. 
During the school's 2008-2009 school year, 34 percent of the Honors 
College's students studied abroad. The schools entering class of fall 
2008 had a remarkable 80 percent of their freshmen class study a 
language other than English during their first semester at college.
  Madam Speaker, once again, I congratulate Washington State University 
Honors College on 50 years of excellence in education and thank 
Representative McMorris Rodgers for bringing this resolution forward.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. At this time I yield such time as she may consume to my 
friend and colleague, the sponsor of this resolution, the gentlewoman 
from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers).
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding some time 
on this resolution. I rise in support of H. Res. 1163, recognizing 
Washington State University's Honors College for 50 years of 
excellence. Nestled

[[Page H1404]]

in the rolling hills of the Palouse region, Washington State 
University, in Pullman, Washington, is the State's largest land-grant 
university and offers over 200 areas of study. This year marks the 50th 
anniversary of the establishment of the Honors College.
  Originally established in 1960 under the direction of Professor 
Sidney Hacker, the Washington State University's Honors College 
provides highly motivated and highly capable students the opportunity 
to challenge themselves through an enriched 4-year curriculum. The 
Honors College emphasizes six specific learning goals throughout its 
program, including critical and creative thinking, quantitative and 
symbolic reasoning, information literacy, communication, self in 
society, and disciplinary knowledge.
  The Honors College at WSU has produced thousands of entrepreneurs, 
scientists, doctors, and educators. Regardless of their profession or 
status, a graduate of WSU's Honors College has the tools to make a 
difference wherever life may lead them. For instance, Captain Amos 
Peterson of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps is a WSU Honors College 
graduate and has been officer-in-charge of Andrews Air Force Base 
veterinary clinic since 2008. Captain Peterson's sister, Ella, is also 
an Honor's College alumnus, and after completing service in the U.S. 
Peace Corps, has become an English teacher in Taiwan. These two 
examples are indicative of the successful students that graduate from 
the Honors College at WSU.
  Madam Speaker, the Washington State University Honors College is one 
of the most respected in the Nation, and it is wholly fitting that this 
House applaud its past and most certain future successes. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in adopting H. Res. 1163, recognizing WSU's 
Honors College for 50 years of excellence.
  Ms. HIRONO. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I also rise in support of House Resolution 1163, recognizing 
Washington State University's Honors College for 50 years of 
excellence. For 50 years, the Washington State University Honors 
College has offered an enriched liberal arts curriculum with an 
international context. Undergraduates seeking challenges can optimize 
their academic experience; and they're known for accomplishments in 
undergraduate research, leadership skills, and service to their local, 
national, and international communities.

                              {time}  1430

  The honors thesis allows students to develop their own mentored 
undergraduate research project. Scholarship support is available to 
help cover college expenses, undergraduate research, and study abroad 
thanks to the support from the Honors' alumni and friends. Students 
from any major may follow the Honors curriculum and expect to graduate 
in 4 years because the curriculum works within each student's major. 
All coursework at Washington State University Honors College is 
designed to promote the six learning goals of the Honors College.
  Washington State University Honors College is an accomplished 
institution that contributes to the economic and civic vitality of the 
State, Nation, and world. Today we congratulate the faculty, staff, 
students, and alumni for 50 years of excellence.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. Once again, I urge my colleagues to vote for H. Res. 
1163, and 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. 1163.
  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. Madam 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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