[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 142 (Friday, August 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1171-E1172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY FOR WINNING THE `HBCU OF THE YEAR' 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. A. DONALD McEACHIN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 24, 2018

  Mr. McEACHIN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize Virginia State University for being named the `HBCU of the 
Year' by HBCU Digest.
  Founded in 1882, Virginia State University, also known as Virginia 
State, is a historically black public land-grant university located in 
Ettrick, Virginia. Virginia State was the United States' first fully 
state-supported four-year college for African-Americans and is a member 
school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
  Virginia State is a renowned institution of higher learning, 
producing impressive, highly-qualified graduates in a variety of 
important fields--including agriculture, education, and business. 
Virginia State is an acclaimed institution for attracting and retaining 
first-time college students, helping to open opportunities to 
communities of color across the country and expanding access to well-
paying, 21st century jobs. Virginia State also boasts a variety of 
impressive and decorated athletic programs.
  Virginia State, over its rich 116-year existence, has been 
distinguished by an impressive and influential faculty and 
administration.

[[Page E1172]]

John Mercer Langston, the first African-American member of Congress 
from Virginia, served as Virginia State's first president. Dr. Makola 
Abdullah, the 14th and current president, is the youngest African 
American ever to receive a Ph.D. in engineering.
  I call on my colleagues to join me in celebrating Virginia State 
University's receipt of this momentous award in recognition of its 
invaluable contributions to Virginia and the entire nation.

                          ____________________