[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 27, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S4683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 512--RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF RICE 
                               UNIVERSITY

  Mrs. HUTCHISON (for herself and Mr. Cornyn) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 512

       Whereas Rice University is celebrating its 100th year as a 
     renowned research university advancing education in the arts, 
     humanities, and sciences;
       Whereas the William Marsh Rice Institute for the 
     Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art, named for its 
     benefactor William Marsh Rice and now known as Rice 
     University, was inaugurated on October 12, 1912, in Houston, 
     Texas;
       Whereas the first president of Rice University, Edgar Odell 
     Lovett, set forth an ambitious vision for a prestigious 
     research university;
       Whereas Rice University is a leading institution of higher 
     education, ranked among the top 20 universities in the United 
     States by U.S. News & World Report every year since the 
     rankings began in 1983;
       Whereas Rice University is dedicated to keeping high 
     quality education affordable through generous financial aid 
     programs and ranks among the 10 best value private colleges 
     by Princeton Review;
       Whereas Rice University plays a leading role in research in 
     many fields, including nanotechnology, space, cellular 
     technology, bioinformatics, energy, health, and the 
     environment;
       Whereas Rice University has invaluably contributed to space 
     exploration, becoming the first university in the United 
     States to create a department dedicated to space exploration 
     and donating the land now home to the Johnson Space Center of 
     the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
       Whereas the groundbreaking discovery of 
     buckminsterfullerene, referred to as ``buckyballs'', on the 
     campus of Rice University in 1985 launched the new field of 
     fullerene chemistry, helped launch the new scientific field 
     of nanotechnology, earned two Rice University professors, Dr. 
     Richard Smalley and Dr. Robert Curl, the Nobel Prize in 
     Chemistry, and is now leading to life-saving and life-
     enhancing breakthroughs in medicine, transportation, energy, 
     the environment, defense, and many other endeavors;
       Whereas Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Richard Smalley of Rice 
     University played a significant role in forming The Academy 
     of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas, an 
     organization for the Texas members of the National Academies 
     and the first organization in Texas dedicated to building 
     collaboration among Texas's most distinguished scientific, 
     academic, and corporate minds in research and public policy;
       Whereas the goal of Rice University is to prepare its 
     students to succeed in a highly competitive and complex 
     world, and many of its alumni have distinguished themselves 
     in their service and contributions to the United States;
       Whereas Rice University is one of three Texas universities 
     to be chosen as a member of the Association of American 
     Universities, and the only private university in Texas that 
     is a member of that association;
       Whereas Rice University is fortunate to have exceptionally 
     fine trustees, administrators, and faculty members who have 
     placed emphasis on inspiring students to succeed in the arts, 
     humanities, and sciences;
       Whereas the contributions of Rice University and its alumni 
     have enriched the history of the United States and the world 
     in the arts, humanities, sports, and sciences; and
       Whereas the success of Rice University is the result of a 
     united effort by many resourceful and dedicated individuals, 
     and all who are associated with the preservation of the great 
     traditions of Rice University deserve to be proud of their 
     accomplishments: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the 100th anniversary 
     of Rice University and expresses gratitude to the university 
     for its innumerable contributions to higher education and the 
     United States.

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