[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 30 (Monday, February 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING EAST TEXAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY FOR ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2012

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, tucked away in northeast Texas is the 
historic city of Marshall, Texas. As the seat of Harrison County, 
Marshall is also home to East Texas Baptist University, a respected 
institution of higher learning. In its one hundred year history, 
student enrollment at ETBU has grown from a few hundred students to a 
vibrant, bustling campus filled with more than twelve hundred young men 
and women seeking a college degree. This year marks the one hundredth 
anniversary of the trustees' application for a charter from the State 
of Texas in 1912 to begin what was then known as the College of 
Marshall, and it is a great privilege to recognize this momentous 
centennial event.
   In 1944 the College of Marshall, under the direction of the Baptist 
General Convention, changed its name to East Texas Baptist College. 
Then in 1957, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools granted 
accreditation to the institution which helped establish its enduring 
academic credibility. The University Charter was revised in 1984, 
changing the institutional name to what we now know as East Texas 
Baptist University.
   ETBU boasts a number of notable alumni including two former members 
of this esteemed body: John Dowdy, Texas, Member of the United States 
House of Representatives (1967 1973) and Sam B. Hall, Member of the 
United States House of Representatives (1976 85) and United States 
District Judge (1985 94).
   ETBU stands by its commitment to the ``development of intellectual 
inquiry, social consciousness, wellness, and skills for a contemporary 
society, global awareness, and Christian character.'' Its focus is on 
``quality academic programs in the humanities, natural and social 
sciences, fine arts, and selected professional areas.'' Staff and 
faculty of ETBU ``affirm that the liberal arts form the surest 
foundation for education and that the Christian faith provides the 
surest foundation for life.''
   As a Baptist university, ETBU is committed to the integration of 
learning and Christian faith in the pursuit of truth. The beautiful 
campus of ETBU is located at the highest elevation in Harrison County, 
and represents a beacon of higher learning to students who venture to 
the piney woods of east Texas in pursuit of a quality, upper level, 
truly Christian based liberal arts education.
   It is an enormous honor to represent the students and faculty of 
ETBU, so it brings me great pride today that to recognize East Texas 
Baptist University on its century of instilling academic excellence 
while integrating faith with learning. Following the years of loyal 
service by Dr. Samuel W. ``Dub'' Oliver as President, ETBU is well 
poised for continued success in the future.
   Heartfelt congratulations are extended to the faculty, staff, 
students and alumni of East Texas Baptist University, as their legacy 
of distinction is now recorded in the Congressional Record that will 
endure as long as there is a United States of America. Their excellence 
in faithfully sustaining the ethical, spiritual and intellectual 
foundations of a God centered education makes it my great honor to be 
their servant in the United States House of Representatives.

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