[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 13, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ALABAMA A&M 50TH ANNIVERSARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Brooks) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
50th anniversary of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.
  The school was originally established not long after the Civil War, 
in 1873, by the legislature of the State of Alabama. Through the 
tireless efforts of the first principal and president, William Hooper 
Council, the Huntsville Normal School opened on May 1, 1875, with an 
appropriation of $1,000 per year. It had 61 students and two 
instructors.
  In 1885, because of its success with industrial education, the 
Alabama Legislature changed its name to the State Normal and Industrial 
School in Huntsville.
  In 1891, the name was again changed to the State Agricultural and 
Industrial Institute for Negroes, and a new location was provided at 
Normal, Alabama.
  In 1969, the school became a fully accredited member of the Southern 
Association of Colleges and Schools, and its name was changed to 
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, the name that it has 
today.
  In the 50 years since its university designation and establishment of 
the foundation, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University has 
grown to encompass widely respected programs in engineering, computer 
science, business, food sciences, agricultural and animal sciences, and 
education, as well as Ph.D. programs in plant and soil science, food 
science, physics, and reading.

  Today, Alabama A&M University is comprised of over 70 buildings and 
more than 1,000 acres, is home to more than 6,000 students, is a 
designated Gold Military Friendly institution, and serves as a regional 
State, national, and international resource, while maintaining its 
mission of educating the underserved and uplifting the people of 
Alabama, the Nation, and the world through its excellence in education.
  On a more personal note, my mother, Betty Brooks, is a proud graduate 
of Alabama A&M University, having received her master's degree there. I 
thank Alabama A&M for helping her to successfully serve for a quarter 
of a century as a Lee High School government and economics teacher.
  In sum, I am, and all of the State of Alabama is, proud of Alabama 
A&M University's accomplishments and wish Alabama A&M a happy 50th 
anniversary as a fully accredited university.
  Go Bulldogs.
  May their future success in helping prepare, train, and educate our 
youth be as great and productive as their past.

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