[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 35 (Thursday, March 3, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY'S 125TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2016

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise in 
recognition of the 125th Anniversary of Elizabeth City State 
University--a public, historically black college in North Carolina's 
First Congressional District.
  On March 3, 1891, Representative Hugh Cale, an African American 
member of the North Carolina General Assembly from Pasquotank County 
sponsored House Bill 383, which established a normal school to train 
African Americans to become primary school teachers. Dr. Peter W. 
Moore, a former slave, served as the school's first Principal, and then 
President until his retirement in 1928.
  Dr. John Henry Bias became the school's second president in 1928 and 
was responsible for spearheading efforts to implement a baccalaureate 
program. In 1937, the school's name was officially changed to Elizabeth 
City State Teachers College after receiving approval from state 
officials to become a four year school. The first Bachelor of Science 
degrees in Elementary Education were awarded in 1939.
  In 1963, the school's name was changed to Elizabeth City State 
College and was ultimately named Elizabeth City State University in 
1969 when the school began awarding graduate degrees. When the 
University of North Carolina System was formed in 1972, Elizabeth City 
State University was one of the 16 public institutions to be granted 
membership.
  Nearly 2,500 students attend ECSU. The university now offers 28 
undergraduate degrees and 4 graduate programs of study in fields like 
aviation, natural sciences, arts, mathematics, business, and economics. 
The ECSU Vikings compete in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic 
Association (CIAA) Division II and have produced many star athletes 
over the years.
  Elizabeth City State University, like many other Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities, has played an important part in African 
American culture, the history of North Carolina, and has contributed to 
the overall success of American higher education.
  For well over a century, ECSU has lived up to its motto ``To Live is 
to Learn'' by producing lifelong learners and affording generations of 
North Carolinians with the tools necessary to be leaders in our global 
society.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and 
congratulating Elizabeth City State University for 125 years of serving 
and educating African Americans seeking higher education in my state.

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