[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2755-H2756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF RADFORD UNIVERSITY

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1182) congratulating Radford University on the 
100th anniversary of the university.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1182

       Whereas Radford University was chartered on March 10, 1910, 
     by the Commonwealth of Virginia as the State Normal and 
     Industrial School for Women at Radford;
       Whereas Radford University was chartered to prepare 
     teachers to educate the people of the United States;
       Whereas Radford University has grown substantially in scope 
     and quality since the day on which the university was 
     chartered;
       Whereas Radford University was renamed the Radford State 
     Teachers College in 1924 and the Women's Division of Virginia 
     Polytechnic Institute in 1944, respectively;
       Whereas Radford University was renamed Radford College in 
     1964 when the relationship between the Virginia Polytechnic 
     Institute and Radford University ended;
       Whereas Radford College was renamed Radford University in 
     1979;
       Whereas, since the founding of the university, Radford 
     University has provided thousands of students with the 
     benefits of a Radford education;
       Whereas Radford University graduates have made meaningful 
     and lasting contributions to society through service, 
     including service in--
       (1) education;
       (2) the sciences;
       (3) business;
       (4) health and human services;
       (5) government;
       (6) the arts and humanities; and
       (7) other endeavors;
       Whereas Radford University is a productive and vital 
     academic community with thousands of students;
       Whereas the students of Radford University approach 
     university life with an enthusiasm for learning and personal 
     development;
       Whereas the brilliant faculty of Radford University is 
     committed to the highest ideals of academic scholarship and 
     the advancement of society;
       Whereas the devoted administrators and staff members of 
     Radford University strive to foster an environment that 
     supports the noble work of the university;
       Whereas the centennial of Radford University is an 
     appropriate time for faculty, staff, students, alumni, and 
     friends--
       (1) to unite in recognition of the past achievements of 
     Radford University with pride; and
       (2) to consider ways to create an even more successful 
     university during the century ahead;
       Whereas Radford University celebrates the culture of 
     service of the university through a program entitled 
     ``Centennial Service Challenge'' that invites every member of 
     the campus and extended university community to engage in, 
     and document community service in honor of, the centennial; 
     and
       Whereas Radford University will observe a Centennial 
     Charter Day Celebration on March 24, 2010, and host numerous 
     other academic programs and arts and cultural events 
     throughout 2010 to commemorate the event: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives commends 
     Radford University on the 100th anniversary of the 
     university.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cuellar). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) and the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SABLAN. I request 5 legislative days during which Members may 
revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 
1182 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SABLAN. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1182, which 
celebrates Radford University for 100 years of leadership and service 
in higher education. Radford was originally founded in 1910 as the 
State Normal and Industrial School for Women, tracing its roots back to 
the expansion of the Virginia public higher education system. While its 
name and composition has evolved over the years, Radford's commitment 
to academic excellence has never wavered.
  Radford's beautiful 177-acre campus is located in the New River 
Valley between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains. The university 
is home to nearly 8,000 undergraduates and over 1,000 graduate 
students, and these students have access to a diversity of academic and 
extracurricular programs.
  The university is comprised of six undergraduate and one graduate 
college which offer 153 degree options. Additionally, Radford also has 
19 NCAA Division I teams, 400 intramural sports teams, and over 200 
clubs and organizations.

[[Page H2756]]

  Recently, Radford was named one of the Top Up-and-Coming Schools in 
the Nation by U.S. News & World Report due to its promising and 
innovative changes it has made over the past few years. Under the 
leadership of Radford's sixth president, Ms. Penelope Kyle, the 
university has consistently ranked among the best colleges and 
universities in the Southeast region. Such recognition shows that the 
school is continually innovating and striving for success.
  For its 100th anniversary, Radford honored its culture of service 
with a ``Centennial Service Challenge,'' which encouraged students, 
faculty, and staff to participate in community service in local and 
regional areas. This event is indicative of Radford's tradition of 
cultivating graduates who will become meaningful contributors to 
society and mark a significant milestone in the university's history.
  Once again, I congratulate Radford University on its 100-year 
anniversary and thank Representative Boucher for bringing this bill 
forward.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1182, 
congratulating Radford University on its 100th anniversary.
  Radford University was founded in 1910 as the State Normal and 
Industrial School for Women at Radford. Classes began in September of 
1913, and in 1979, the school became Radford University. During 2010, 
Radford is celebrating its centennial anniversary with numerous 
programs and events. On March 24, the university observed the 
Centennial Charter Day Celebration.
  Located in Radford, Virginia, Radford University is organized into 
six undergraduate colleges and one college of graduate and extended 
education. Radford University aims to create a challenging, supportive, 
and engaging educational culture that is anchored in the liberal arts 
tradition and is ethically responsible to the needs of the 21st century 
global society. The university has more than 200 clubs and student 
organizations and competes in 19 NCAA athletics.
  In addition, Radford has a national reputation for excellent 
academics. In 2007, Radford unveiled ``7-17, Forging a Bold New 
Future,'' with a goal of establishing Radford as one of the top 50 
master degree-granting universities in the Nation by 2017. In 2009, the 
university was ranked in the South's top 25 master's level public 
universities and named one of the Top Up-and-Coming Schools by U.S. 
News & World Report.
  I am honored to congratulate Radford University on the occasion of 
its 100th anniversary and to recognize the university for 100 years of 
excellence in higher education. And I extend my congratulations to the 
university, the faculty, the staff, the students, and the alumni.
  I urge my colleagues to support the resolution, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to recognize the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Boucher), the sponsor of the resolution, for 3 minutes.
  (Mr. BOUCHER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BOUCHER. I want to thank the gentleman for his leadership in 
bringing this resolution to the floor and for yielding this time to me 
today, and I extend thanks also to the gentlelady from Illinois for her 
assistance with this measure. And I thank both of my colleagues for 
their very generous statements on behalf of Radford University this 
afternoon.
  H.R. 1182 is bipartisan legislation congratulating Radford University 
on its 100th anniversary. The resolution is cosponsored by eight 
members of our Virginia House delegation, and Senators Webb and Warner 
have introduced companion legislation which previously has been 
approved in the Senate.
  For a century, Radford University has provided students with an 
outstanding education, and the university richly deserves 
congratulations, which we extend today, on that achievement. In that 
century, nearly 70,000 students have received a Radford education, many 
of whom have gone on to become leaders in business and government and 
education, health care, the arts and other areas.
  Radford University was chartered on March 10, 1910, as the State 
Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford with the mission of 
preparing teachers; and it was renamed in 1924 as Radford State 
Teachers College, in 1944 as the Women's Division of Virginia 
Polytechnic Institute, and in 1964 as Radford College. The school 
became Radford University in 1979, the name that it proudly bears 
today.
  Today, Radford University is known for its strong leadership and 
relationships between faculty and students and the commitment to 
service that exists and pervades the student body. The school offers 
153 undergraduate and graduate programs and strong research, service 
learning, and preprofessional programs.
  Radford University is located in my congressional district, but its 
achievements bring pride not just to our region but to citizens across 
Virginia.
  The university graduates reside in communities throughout the Nation, 
who share in the congratulations which the Congress today formally 
extends to Radford University on its 100th anniversary.
  I thank my colleagues for their assistance in bringing this measure 
to the floor, and I urge its approval by the House.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. I would yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to support H. 
Res. 1182, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1182.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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