[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1484-H1485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF AUGUSTANA COLLEGE
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree
to the resolution (H. Res. 1089) recognizing the 150th anniversary of
Augustana College, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1089
Whereas Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, was
founded as Augustana Seminary under the auspices of the
Augustana Synod on September 1, 1860;
Whereas the name Augustana comes from Confessio Augustana,
the Latin rendering of the seminal statement of the
Reformation, the Augsburg Confession;
Whereas Augustana College was initially founded to train
Lutheran pastors, teachers, and musicians for the growing
settlements of Swedish immigrants in the United States;
Whereas Augustana College began classes in Chicago, moved
to Paxton in 1863, and then finally moved to its present
location in Rock Island in 1875;
Whereas Augustana College has grown from serving 90
students in 1875 to serving over 2,500 students today;
Whereas Augustana College's mission is to offer a
challenging education that develops qualities of mind,
spirit, and body necessary for a rewarding life of leadership
and service in a diverse and changing world;
Whereas Augustana College offers undergraduate students an
education rooted in the liberal arts and sciences through 75
fields of study;
Whereas Augustana College has produced 131 Academic All-
America athletes, the sixth highest number of honorees among
all schools in the Nation, regardless of size;
Whereas alumni of Augustana College have gone on to achieve
success in diverse fields, including business, education,
government and public service, religion, arts and
entertainment, and science, and include a Nobel Prize winner,
CEOs, and Members of Congress; and
Whereas 2010 marks the 150th anniversary of the
establishment of Augustana College: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) acknowledges and congratulates Augustana College in
Rock Island, Illinois, on the momentous occasion of its 150th
anniversary and expresses its best wishes for continued
success;
(2) commends Augustana College for its excellence in
academics, athletics, and quality of life for students; and
(3) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to
provide Augustana College with enrolled copies of this
resolution for appropriate display.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr.
Guthrie) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Hampshire.
General Leave
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during
which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on
H. Res. 1089 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from New Hampshire?
There was no objection.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare).
Mr. HARE. I thank my colleague from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter)
for yielding me time to speak.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1089,
recognizing the 150th anniversary of Augustana College. Mr. Speaker,
this year marks the 150th year of Augustana College, and I proudly
introduce this resolution to highlight Augustana's long tradition of
academic excellence and distinction.
Founded in 1860, Augustana College, in Rock Island, Illinois, has
grown from a small school educating Swedish immigrants into one of our
Nation's premier colleges of the liberal arts and sciences. Today, with
over 75 fields of discipline, Augustana, popularly known as Augie,
provides a rich liberal arts environment for a diverse student body of
over 2,500 students.
Mr. Speaker, at Augustana, students enter to learn and leave to
serve. Throughout its 150 years, Augustana College has remained
committed to educating its students for a rewarding life of leadership
and service in a diverse and changing world. Augie alumni have gone on
to achieve success in diverse fields, and graduates include a Nobel
Peace Prize winner, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and Members of
Congress, most notably my predecessor and my good friend,
Representative Lane Evans.
Beyond the classroom, Augustana has established itself as a top
athletic program with 37 NCAA Division III national titles in six
sports and has produced 131 academic All-American athletes, the sixth
highest number of honorees among all schools in our Nation.
Mr. Speaker, in addition, Augie has partnered with the community to
promote economic development in the Quad Cities region, and Augustana
has an estimated impact of $75 million on our local economy.
Mr. Speaker, the ongoing success of Augustana can be directly
attributed to the quality of the leadership of the college. Under the
direction of President Steve Bahls, Augustana has positioned itself to
be a flagship college in my district and in the State of Illinois.
Also, President Bahls has led efforts to respond to students' immediate
needs during the economic downturn. He has made a commitment to help
any student at risk of dropping out because of financial difficulties
through the creation of the Immediate Scholarship Support Fund,
substantial investments in financial aid, and tuition cost control.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I congratulate Augustana College on the
historic occasion of its 150th anniversary, and I wish the college, its
students, and the faculty continued success.
I would like to thank the entire Illinois delegation for joining me
to celebrate Augustana College's 150th year, and I urge my colleagues
to support House Resolution 1089.
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I appreciate my friend from Illinois bringing this resolution
forward, and I rise today in support of this House Resolution 1089,
recognizing the 150th anniversary of Augustana College.
Augustana College was founded by Swedish Lutheran settlers in
Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1875.
Augustana College has grown from a small school educating Swedish
immigrants to a highly selective college of liberal arts and sciences.
Today, Augustana College serves 2,500 students from various geographic,
social, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
Students at Augustana receive a personalized liberal arts and science
education with a 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Most of Augustana's
students are actively involved in a large variety of groups and
activities, including performing arts, debate, publications, social and
service organizations.
Augustana has been recognized nationwide for its excellent academics.
The Carnegie Foundation has classified the college as an Arts and
Science plus Professions institution. Students accepted to Augustana
are typically from the top quarter of their high school class and have
notable academic histories.
The Augustana Vikings compete in the NCAA Division III athletics in
20 intercollegiate sports and also participate in numerous club and
intramural sports. The Vikings have won four team NCAA national
championships and 21 individual NCAA national championships.
Augustana College students have excelled in academics, athletics, and
all areas of collegiate life. I congratulate Augustana College and the
students, faculty, staff, and alumni for 150 years of excellence in
education.
I congratulate my colleague on this resolution, and I urge my
colleagues to support House Resolution 1089.
{time} 1745
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) that the House suspend
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1089, as amended.
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. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
[[Page H1485]]
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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