[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 62 (Friday, April 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE COMMUNITY HONORS RETIRING PRESIDENT DR. 
                              ARLIN HORTON

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2012

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
exemplary career of a great leader, scholar and mentor, Pensacola 
Christian College's Founder and President, Dr. Arlin Horton. After 38 
years of exceptional leadership at Pensacola Christian College and 
nearly 60 years at Pensacola Christian Academy, we celebrate Dr. 
Horton's retirement and reflect back on a career of distinguished 
accomplishments.
  As the Founder of my alma mater, Pensacola Christian College, Dr. 
Horton created one of the finest institutions of higher learning in 
America--and a ministry serving God's work with leadership, 
responsibility and faith. After he and his wife Beka graduated from 
college in 1951, they came to Pensacola to start this ministry. And 
their success was extraordinary.
  In 1954, they opened the doors to Pensacola Christian School--which 
began with only 35 students--and since 1970, over 2,000 students from 
kindergarten through twelfth grade have received an education at 
Pensacola Christian School. With over 93,000 Christian school 
principals and teachers attending clinics in Pensacola, the work 
President Horton and his wife began paved the way for generations of 
students, teachers and leaders.
  Years later, Dr. Horton's influence expanded from the Christian 
School to a broad network of Christian radio stations all across the 
country. He also began publishing unique curriculums for Christian 
Schools, which revolutionized Christian education in America. Today, 
over 10,000 Christian schools and daycares use their books.
  Most notably though, in 1974, Dr. Horton founded Pensacola Christian 
College, from which I was honored to receive my Bachelor's Degree in 
1990. Beginning with only 100 students in the fall of 1974, Pensacola 
Christian College now recognizes over 16,600 alumni all over the world. 
To say that his influence was incalculable is an understatement.
  So today I join Dr. Arlin and Beka Horton in celebrating a long life 
of dedication to education, devotion to Christ, and commitment to 
making a difference in the lives of others. While Dr. Horton's 
retirement is sad for the PCC community, we will all--PCC students and 
alumni alike--continue to carry his legacy with us forever. He taught 
us: ``To God be the Glory!''--and this we will most certainly remember.

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