[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1227-E1228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING HALIFAX COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2017

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Halifax Community 
College located in my congressional district in Halifax County, North 
Carolina in the Town of Weldon as the institution celebrates its 50th 
Founders' Day and installs its new president, Dr. Michael Elam. Since 
its inception 50 years ago, Halifax Community College has served as a 
cornerstone of the Roanoke Valley region and has been a source of pride 
for the community.
  What would eventually become Halifax Community College was first 
called Halifax County Technical Institute and was chartered by the 
North Carolina General Assembly on September 7, 1967. Originally 
located on US Highway 301 in Halifax, the school, led by its first 
president Dr. Phillip W. Taylor, first opened its doors to students in 
February 1968. The school remained in its original location until 1977 
when it relocated to its present location on NC Highway 158 in the Town 
of Weldon.
  Mr. Speaker, since its humble beginnings half a century ago, Halifax 
Community College has become known statewide for its innovative 
facilities and educational excellence in the Roanoke Valley. The 
institution serves more than 7,000 students each year and offers more 
than 40 academic programs that lead to certificates, diplomas and 
associate degrees. Halifax Community College offers basic literacy 
skills, workforce and human resources development, and continuing 
education programs. It is also home to the renowned 1,500-seat 
multipurpose theater called The Centre.
  The staff of Halifax Community College work in earnest each day to 
achieve the school's mission ``to meet the diverse needs of [the] 
community by providing high-quality, accessible and affordable 
education and services for a rapidly changing and globally competitive 
marketplace.''
  In recognition of its hard work and achievements, Halifax Community 
College has been the recipient of many prestigious awards including the 
2015 Southern Region Equity Award by the Association of Community 
College Trustees; 2016 Advancing Diversity Award by the American 
Association of Community Colleges; 2016 Rural Community College 
Alliance Innovator Award; and 2017 American Association of Community 
Colleges Community College Safety, Planning, and Leadership Award.
  Mr. Speaker, Halifax Community College is a vibrant, student-oriented 
institution that continues to embrace student learning and success as 
its top priorities. Under the visionary leadership of past presidents 
Dr. Phillip W. Taylor (1967-1988), Dr. Elton L. Newbern Jr. (1988-
1998), Dr. Theodore H. Gasper Jr. (1998-2006), and Dr. Ervin V. Griffin 
Sr. (2006-2017), Halifax Community College has prospered and has 
transformed educational opportunities and outcomes for the Roanoke 
Valley.
  I have no doubt that Halifax Community College's new president, Dr. 
Michael Elam, will build on the work of those who came before him and 
will ably and skillfully lead the institution into the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
staff and students of Halifax Community College, past and present, as 
they celebrate 50 years of excellence in education. On behalf of the 
United States House of Representatives and the people of the First 
Congressional District of North Carolina, I wish Halifax Community 
College great success for the next 50 years and beyond.

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