[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 20, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING LEE COLLEGE ON RECEIVING AN OFFICIAL TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2012

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Lee 
College on receiving an Official Texas Historical Marker. Lee College 
is known as one of the fastest growing community colleges in the 
Nation. It currently ranks 6th in the Nation for degrees awarded in 
science and technologies; and offers more than 130 degrees and 
certificates. I am proud to honor Lee College, located in Baytown, 
Texas, for receiving this marker.
  On Friday, March 23, 2012, the Texas Historical Commission will 
dedicate the Historical Marker with the following text:

       In 1934, during the Great Depression and after several 
     years of planning, the residents of the Goose Creek 
     Independent School District voted to establish Lee Junior 
     College, stressing the importance of higher education 
     opportunities for area residents. One hundred seventy-seven 
     students registered during the fall 1934 semester, and paid 
     less than $15 per semester in fees. The junior college first 
     shared facilities with Robert E. Lee high school, and classes 
     met at night. In 1935 four women made up the first graduating 
     class, and vocational education was inaugurated with a non-
     credit class in child psychology. The school's name was 
     changed to Lee College in 1948, and a separate campus was 
     first utilized in 1951. In 1965, the college separated from 
     Goose Creek C.I.S.D. and obtained its own board of regents.
       Lee College instituted a college level program in 
     Huntsville at the Texas Department of Corrections in 1966, 
     becoming a pioneer in prison education. The program was 
     designed to reduce recidivism of inmates by offering them 
     educational opportunities, and remains a vital part of the 
     college's programming. The Lee College Honors Program was 
     established in 1974 to serve gifted and highly motivated 
     students by preparing them for success in education and 
     employment opportunities. Classes in the program are taught 
     in a seminar format, and several scholarships are awarded 
     through the program based on academic excellence. Lee College 
     continues today to offer academic as well as vocational-
     technical and continuing education classes to the residents 
     of Baytown and the surrounding area.

  I congratulate the past and present administration, faculty, staff, 
and students of Lee College for all of their hard work and dedication 
to education. And so it is with great pleasure that I recognize Lee 
College on receiving an Official Texas Historical Marker.

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